IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


A 


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//      ,.v 


1.0 


1.1 


1^  1^  m 


^^     "^ 


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FhotograiJiic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


Sy 

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33  WIST  MAIN  STtliT 

VVItSTH,N.Y.  MSSO 

(71*)t72.4S03 


4^ 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CiHM/iCMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  IMotm/Notes  tachniquas  at  bibliographiquas 


Tl 
to 


Tha  Instituta  haa  attamptad  to  obtain  tha  bast 
original  copy  avaiiabia  for  filming.  Faaturas  of  this 
copy  which  may  ba  bibliographically  uniqua. 
which  may  altar  any  of  tha  imagas  in  tha 
reproduction,  or  which  may  significantly  change 
the  usual  method  of  filming,  are  checkaid  below. 


D 


D 


D 


D 
D 


D 


D 


Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  de  couleur 


I     I   Covers  damaged/ 


Couverture  endommagte 


Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaurie  et/ou  pellicula 


□    Cover  title  missing/ 
Le 


titre  de  couverture  manque 


I      I    Coloured  maps/ 


Cartas  g^ographiquas  en  couleur 

Coloured  ink  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  qua  bleue  ou  noire) 


I     1   Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 


Planches  et/ou  illustrationa  en  couleur 


Bound  with  other  material/ 
ReliA  avac  d'autres  documents 


Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

La  re  liure  serrie  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
distortion  le  long  de  la  marge  inttrieure 

Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may 
appear  within  tha  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certainas  pages  blanches  ajoutias 
lors  d'une  restauration  apparaissant  dans  le  texte, 
mais,  lorsqua  cela  Atait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
paa  M  filmtes. 

Additional  comments:/ 
Commentaires  supplAmentairas: 


L'Institut  a  microfilm^  la  meilleur  exempiaire 
qu'il  lui  a  Att  possible  de  se  procurer.  Las  details 
de  cet  exempiaire  qui  sont  peut-Atre  uniques  du 
point  de  vue  bibliographique.  qui  peuvent  modifier 
une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  una 
modification  dans  la  mAthode  normala  de  filmage 
sont  indiqute  ci-dessous. 


I      I    Coloured  pages/ 


D 


Pages  de  couleur 

Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommagias 

Pages  restored  and/oi 

Pages  restaurias  et/ou  pelliculAes 


|~~*1    Pages  damaged/ 

I      I    Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 


Tl 

P< 

o1 
fil 


0 
b4 
t»i 
all 

01 

fli 
ail 

01 


Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 
Pages  dicolories,  tachetdes  ou  piqu^es 

Pages  detached/ 
Pages  ditachies 

Showthrough/ 
Transparence 

Quality  of  prir 

Quality  inigale  de  I'impression 

Includes  supplementary  matarii 
Comprend  du  material  suppi^mentaire 

Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  Edition  disponible 


I      I  Pages  detached/ 

r~l  Showthrough/ 

I      I  Quality  of  print  varies/ 

I      I  Includes  supplementary  material/ 

I      I  Only  edition  available/ 


Tl 
s» 
Tl 
w 

M 
di 
•r 
b« 
rl( 
re 
m 


Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc.,  have  been  refilmed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Les  pages  totalement  ou  partiallement 
obscurcies  par  un  fauillet  d'errata,  une  pelure, 
etc.,  ont  M  filmies  A  nouveau  da  fa^on  A 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  film6  au  taux  de  '^iduction  indiqui  ci-dessous. 

10X  14X  18X  22X 


26X 


30X 


y 

12X 


16X 


20X 


a4X 


28X 


32X 


itails 
I  du 
odifier 
'  une 
mage 


Th«  copy  filmed  h«r«  has  b««n  raproducad  thanks 
to  tha  ganaroaity  of: 

Library, 

Dapartmant  of  Nationai  Daf anca 

Tha  imagas  appaaring  hara  ara  tha  baat  quality 
possibia  considoring  tha  condition  and  laglbillty 
of  tha  original  copy  and  in  kaaping  with  tha 
filming  contract  spacif Icationa. 


Original  copies  in  printed  papar  covara  ara  filmed 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on 
the  leat  page  with  a  printed  or  illuatrated  Impree- 
sion,  or  the  back  cover  when  appropriate.  All 
other  original  coplea  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illuatrated  imprea- 
slon,  and  ending  on  the  kMt  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impresaion. 


L'axemplaira  fiimA  f ut  reproduit  grAce  A  la 
gikniroaiti  da: 

BiMiothdqua, 

IMinittira  da  la  DMensa  Nationala 

Lea  imagas  suivantes  ont  AtA  raproduitas  avac  la 
plus  grand  soin.  compta  tenu  da  la  condition  et 
da  ia  nettet*  de  i'axampieire  film*,  at  en 
conformity  avac  las  conditions  du  contrat  da 
fiimage. 

Lea  axemplairaa  originaux  dont  la  couvarture  9n 
papier  eat  imprimAe  sent  filmte  en  commenpant 
par  la  premier  plat  at  an  tarminant  soit  par  ia 
darnlAre  page  qui  eomporte  une  amprainta 
d'impraaaion  ou  d'iilustration,  soit  par  la  second 
plat,  salon  la  caa.  Tous  las  autras  axempiairas 
.originaux  sent  filmte  an  commandant  par  ia 
pramiAre  page  qui  eomporte  une  empreinte 
d'impreasion  ou  d'iilustration  at  an  tarminant  par 
la  darni4re  page  qui  eomporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 


The  laet  recorded  frame  on  eech  microfiche 
shell  contein  the  symbol  ^-^  (meening  "CON* 
TINUED").  or  the  symbol  V  (meening  "END  "), 
whichever  applies. 


Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaftra  sur  la 
darnlAre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  seion  la 
cas:  la  symbole  — »•  signifie  "A  SUIVRE".  la 
symbols  V  signifie  "FIN". 


Mapa,  platea,  charta,  etc..  mey  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  retios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  inc'iided  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hend  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  aa  many  framea  as 
required.  The  following  diegrems  illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  csrtes.  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  pauvant  fttra 
filmte  A  des  taux  da  reduction  diffArents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  Atra 
reproduit  en  un  seui  clichA.  il  est  f  iimA  A  psrtir 
de  i'angle  supArieur  gauche,  da  gauche  A  droits, 
et  de  heut  en  bea,  an  pranant  le  nombre 
d'images  nAcesseire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
iliustrant  la  mAthoda. 


irrata 
to 


pelure, 
n  it 


n 


32X 


1  2  3 


1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

HEMOIB 


or 


\1 


CAPTAIN  M.  M.  HAMMOND, 


BIFLE  BBiaADE. 


w 


MEMOIK 


OF 


CAPTAIN  M.  M.  HAMMOND, 


RIFLE  BRIGADE. 


*  Come,  I  will  shew  thee  a  friend ;  I  will  paint  one  worthy  of  thy  tniBt 
How  beaatUtil  thy  feet,  and  ftiU  of  grace  thy  coming, 
O  better  kind  companion  I  Thou  art  well  for  either  world. 
There  Is  an  atmosphere  of  happiness  floating  round  that  roan ; 
LoTe  is  throned  upon  his  heart,  and  light  within  his  dwelling. 
His  eyes  are  ray^d  with  peaoeftilness;  and  Wisdom  waiteth  on  his  tongne.* 

Tcppib'b  FrottrUal  Phdloiophfi 


NEW  YORK: 
ROBERT  CARTER  &  BROTHERS, 

No.  680  BBOADWAY. 
1858. 


w 


•:-  ^1.   ^  V,. 


TO 


A  FATHER'S  AFFECTION, 


VHIB  MEMOIR  OF  A  BELOYBD  80H 


|8  %mtxM 


BT 


A  BBOTHEIL 


I 


aavci^ 


( / 


'■-a«»iiKtW'«'«.»w»^ 


PREFACE. 


The  compiler  of  the  following  pages,  while  he 
avails  himself  of  the  opportunity  of  acknowledging 
the  kindness  of  those  who  have  contributed  mate- 
rials for  his  use,  feels  that  some  apology  is  due  to 
them  for  the  long  detention  of  their  letters. 

The  idea  of  a  Memoir  of  Captain  Hammond's 
life  was  suggested  immediA-tely  after  his  death. 
One  by  one  those  friends  by  whom  it  was  hoped 
that  the  work  would  have  been  undertaken  were, 
from  various  causes,  compelled  to  relinquish  it; 
and  it  was  not  until  it  seemed  probable  that  the 
whole  matter  would  fall  through,  that  the  writer 
of  the  present  volume  consented  to  make  the  at- 
tempt. 

Under  his  hands  the  progress  of  the  Memoir, 
the  materials  for  which  were  given  over  to  him  at 
the  close  of  the  last  year,  has  been  brought  to  a 


VUl 


PREFACE. 


conclusion.  He  submits  it  to  the  public,  with 
thankfulness  to  Him  who  has  permitted  him  to 
dwell  for  nearly  twelve  months  on  materials  that 
have  been  characterised  by  a  friend  as  "full  of 
interest,  sanctifying,  and  edifying;"  and  with  a 
humble  hope  that  the  voice  of  one,  whose  personal 
example  is  no  longer  before  us,  may  be  found  in 
these  pages  addressing  each  of  us  in  the  spirit  of 
the  Saviour's  words,  "  Go  thou,  and  do  likewise." 

Dmbibu  1867. 


juMm 


CONTENTa 


i-«l 


BabltDatc 


GHAFTEB  I 


CHAPTER  V. 
Doctrinal  Views 


OHAPTEB  VL 


LoYB  OF  Home 


CHAPTER  VIL 


Lettsbs 


1 


CHAPTER  II. 
FoBBST  Scenes  .       .       .       .        «      ,  •        18 

CHAPTER  UL 

OpjNYEBSION        •  •  •      .     •  •  »  '.  :    ^^ 

CHAPTER  rV. 

Changed  Habits     ....       mtm^ 


mMmu 


91 


I       •       «       • 


80 


.       I        •        •        .       • 


CONTENTS. 


I 
f 

I. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 
Emigsant  Fever 


CHAPTER  IX. 


Usefulness 


CHAPTER  X. 
Choice  of  Friends 


•        •     '  * 


CHAPTER  XL 
Stmpatht 

CHAPTER  XIL 
Fbbyknt  in  Spibit 


•  • 


CHAPTER  XHL 


Pbateb 


CHAPTER  XIV. 
Betubn  to  England 


CHAPTER  XV. 


Mabbiagi 


CHAPTER  XVI. 
Conscientiousness   .        , 

CHAPTER  XVII. 
The  Bulgarian  Campaign 


MM 

111 


126 


144 


154 


164 


187 


S05 


219 


228 


250 


..^» 


"l?^fw~^v-^^  --■T'^  •^.<*r.tyr' '  ■ 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 


The  Oamp 


CHAPTER  XXI. 


Thb  Crimea 


MAI 

S67 


CHAPTER  XIX 
The  Hospital         .  .        .       •      S98 


CHAPTER  XX 
The  Harbinger       .        .        .        •       •     311 


332 


CHAPTER  XXII. 
The  Storhino 342 

CHAPTT^R  XXIII. 
Testimonial  Letters       ....      849 


i\ 

" 

'■  ! 

; 

»i 

r 


■or 


7*^ 


CHAPTERL 


^arljy  §m. 


'*  Visions  of  childhood,  stay,  oh  !  stay, 

Ye  were  so  sweet  and  wild ; 

But  distant  voices  seem'd  to  say. 

It  cannot  be !  Thpy  pass  away — 

Thou  art  no  more  a  child." 


LOKOFKLLOW. 


Eighteen  months  have  scarcely  elapsed  since  the  last  gun 
was  fired  before  Sebastopol.  The  smoke-wreaths,  floating 
off  in  thin  filaments,  have  been  gathered  up  into  another 
war  cloud,  threatening  another  empire. 

But  all  is  quiet  in  the  Crimea.  Upon  the  heights  of 
Inkermann  the  listless  Tartar  again  tends  his  flock.  The 
bustard  and  the  plover  have  returned  to  the  steppes;  the 
plateau  is  painted  with  purple  and  golden  crocuses ;  there 
is  peace  upon  the  hills  once  more. 

From  those  deep  ravines  all  living  trace  of  the  allied 
armies  has  disappeared.  But  many  a  rude  cross,  for  ages 
to  come,  will  tell  where,  side  by  side,  in  sad  array,  the 
mighty  hosts  are  resting.  There  each,  in  his  warrior's 
shroud,  sleeps  till  the  earth  shall  give  up  her  dead,  and 
the  Lord  shall  gather  His  elect  from  the  four  winds  of 
heaven. 


il 


i 


'■- 


I 


; 


S 


EAKLY  DAYS. 


The  whole  is  now  like  a  dream,  and  our  minds,  strained 
with  intense  excitement,  have  for  the  most  part  ceased  to 
dwell  upon  the  events  of  that  unhappy  period. 

Yet  "  the  memory  of  the  just  is  blessed,*'  and  if,  after 
this  interval,  in  compliance  with  the  urgent  wishes  of 
many,  we  offer,  in  the  following  pages,  a  short  memoir  of 
one  "who«shall  return  no  more  to  his  house,'*  it  is  not 
that  we  may  exalt  him,  but  rather  that  we  may  set  forth, 
in  the  words  of  his  simple  epitaph— 

«  The  praise  of  the  glory  of  His  grace^ 
who  gave  a  Christian  lustre  to  his  life,  and  a  blessedness 
to  his  honourable  death." 


\  ! 


Maximilian  Montagu  Hammond  was  the  third  son  of 
W.  0.  Hammond,  Esq.,  of  St  Alban's  Court,  Kent,  and 
of  Mary  Graham,  eldest  daughter  of  Sir  H.  Oxenden,  of 
Broome  Park,  Kent.  He  was  bom  on  the  6th  of  May 
1824.  His  childish  days  are  marked  by  an  accident  which, 
while  its  effects  were  felt  by  him  till  his  death,  gave  an 
early  iodication  of  that  unselfish  and  generous  nature  that 
characterised  his  after  life.  A  powder  flask  came  within 
his  reach,  and,  aware  that  its  contents  were  inflammable, 
although  ignorant  of  their  dangerous  nature,  he  attempted 
to  throw  some  into  the  fire,  while  in  his  mother's  room: 
an  alarming  explosion  took  place;  fragments  of  copper 
flew  in  every  direction,  deeply  piercing  the  walls.  The 
mantelpiece  was  riven  in  two,  and  the  glass  of  the  win- 
dows was  shivered  to  atoms.  As  soon  as  the  smoke 
cleared,  it  was  found  that  the  child's  hand  was  fearfully 
shattered;  the  thumb  was  entirely  removed,  as  far  as  its 
junction  with  the  wrist ;  surgical  aid  was  immediately  sent 


Jittm 


SEV£RE  ACCIDENT. 


trained 
lased  to 

If,  after 
shes  of 
moir  of 
;  is  not 
it  forth, 


jsedness 


I  son  of 
jnt,  and 
Qden,  of 
of  May 
t  which, 
gave  an 
lire  that 
J  within 
nmable, 
;empted 
room: 
copper 
The 
le  win- 
smoke 
earfuUy 
r  as  its 
iely  sent 


for;  and  while  a  temporary  bandage  was  applied  to  the 
wound,  "  How  glad  I  am,  mamma,""  said  the  sufferer,  "  how 
glad  I  am  that  it  was  not  you  !"  Great  fears  of  lockjaw 
were  entertained,  but  through  (Jod's  mercy  the  wound 
healed  favourably.  It  was  not  at  first  thought  prudent  to 
communicate  to  the  child  the  extent  of  the  injury,  and  the 
effect  of  breaking  it  to  him  was  somewhat  dreaded;  but 
he  received  the  announcement  without  emotion,  and  with 
perfect  cheerfulness.  In  after  years  this  loss  was  ever 
present  to  him.  His  sensitive  nature  made  him  often 
dread  the  surprise  produced  upon  comparative  strangers 
with  whom  he  might  shake  hands — misgivings  little  sus- 
pected by  those  who  felt  his  warm  and  hearty  pressure. 
With  this  one  exception  his  childhood  and  boyhood  passed 
much  as  that  of  most  other  lads  in  his  circumstances. 
He  was  a  high-spirited  and  manly  boy,  joining  with  his 
brothers  during  their  holidays  in  the  favourite  amuse- 
ments of  their  home;  and,  with  a  spirit  of  enjoyment, 
entering  into  all  those  initiatory  sports,  which  a  country 
home,  affords — ferreting  rabbits,  riding,  keeping  pets,  &c. 
He  was  a  favourite  with  all,  and  his  fmnk,  honest,  open 
face  was  an  index  to  his  character.  Maxy  was  at  this 
age  full  of  strong  impulse;  rather  impetuous,  at  times 
passionate,  but  of  an  affectionai^  disposition,  strongly 
attached  to  his  father  and  mother,  his  family,  and  his 
home. 

His  bold,  unflinching  spirit  shewed  itself  in  a  very  early 
trait.  He  was  playing  with  a  companion,  the  son  of  a 
neighbouring  gentleman,  and  with  one  of  his  brothers;  as 
they  were  together,  remembering  that  he  had  not  said  his 
prayers  that  morning,  Maxy  suddenly  knelt  down  in  a 


M 


i 


i 


%  EAKLY  DAYS. 

wood-lodge,  where  they  were  at  the  time,  and  repeated  his 
morning  prayer,  utterly  fearless  of  ridicule.  His  inclina- 
tion for  a  soldier's  life  shewed  itself  early,  and  his  future 
profession  having  been  determined,  he  was  sent  to  a  school 
at  Woolwich,  whence  he  was  soon  after  removed  to  the 
Royal  Military  College  at  Sandhurst. 

The  letters  of  a  mere  child  written  from  school,  dwelling 
chiefly  on  the  happier  thoughts  of  home,  his  love  for  his 
family,  his  amusements,  ponies,  dogs,  and  pets,  are  little 
interesting  to  general  readers,  and  there  was  nothing  in 
his  letters  at  this  time  beyond  his  years ;  yet  there  are 
here  and  there  some  few  touches  of  his  natural  character, 
and  some  few  allusions,  which  shew  that  he  had  received 
the  most  inestimable  of  a  parent's  gifts — ^that  he  had  been 
"brought  up  in  the  fear  of  God.''  Of  his  first  school  he 
writes :   "  I  do  not  like  it  very  much,  not  so  much  as  I 

expected We  went  to  the  fair;  two  of  the  boys  got 

drunk;  there  are  some  veiy  great  blackguards  at  this 
school.    M  ♦  *  ♦  reads  prayers  eveiy  morning  and  night; 

we  don't  ever  kneel  down Will  you  send  me  a 

parcel,"  he  says  to  his  mother,  "  as  soon  as  you  can  ?  I 
will  tell  you  what  to  send — an  enormous  plain  plum-cake, 
paper,  pens,  slate  pencils,  jam  hy  plenty,  and  any  extras 
that  you  like;  a  little  money  would  not  he  amiss."  There 
is  something  very  illustrative  here  of  his  straightforward 
disposition ;  he  does  not  like  hinting,  but  he  likes  indul- 
gence, and  does  not  mince  the  matter. 

At  Sandhurst  his  progress  at  first  does  not  seem  to 
have  found  favour  with  the  authorities.  He  considered 
the  sergeants,  whose  especial  duty  it  was  to  report  the 
delinquencies  of  the  cadets,  his  natural   enemies;  and, 


JJ-llOJiUlXJ ~LMU~~ 


PROGRESS  AT  SANDHURST. 


loving  fun,  and  full  of  a  boy's  spirit,  he  was  from  time  to 
time  reported  for  faults,  which,  though  never  in  one 
instance  discreditable,  yet  told  against  him  in  the  opinion 
of  the  governor. 

In  his  second  year  he  writes :  "  I  could  not  make  out 
what  you  meant  in  your  first  letter  about  my  having  got 
into  some  scrape,  but  I  suppose  that  «  «  «  was  alluding  to 
my  character  of  last  year.  It  did  not  frighten  me  in  the 
least,  as  I  knew  I  had  done  nothing  wrong.'*  Still,  as  he 
advanced,  his  desire  to  improve  was  evident,  and  the  half- 
yearly  reports  shew,  that  his  efforts  were  not  unobserved 
l)y  the  professors.  With  all  his  love  for  amusement  and 
natural  disinclination  to  study,  he  felt  and  understood  his 
own  position,  and  the  duty,  not  less  than  the  importance, 
of  advancing  himself  by  his  own  exertions.  He  gave 
much  attention  to  surveying,  and  was  favourably  men- 
tioned in  this  department.  His  employment  in  this 
service  introduced  him  to  the  hospitality  of  a  family  in 
i;he  neighbourhood,  and  procured  for  him  a  subsequent 
friendsiiip,  which,  though  strengthened  little  by  personal 
intercourse  afterwards,  was  never  lost.  One  of  that 
family,  in  a  letter  after  his  death,  alludes  to  that  early  ac- 
quaintance :  "  He  has  always  borne  so  bright  a  place  in  my 
thoughts  since  the  time  when  I  first  saw  him  at  our  place 
as  a  boy." 

The  examinations  approached,  and  his  thoughts  turned 
to  his  future  appointment  to  a  regiment  "  I  suppose,"  he 
says  in  a  letter  to  his  mother,  "  there  wiU  be  no  chance  of 
seeing  W  «  *  ♦  for  two  or  three  years ;  a  soldier  must 
not  expect  to  be  much  at  home.  I  wonder  whether  the 
duke  has  done  anything  about  putting  my  name  down  for 


EARLY  DAYS, 


I  ^1 


the  Rifle  Brigade  ;  I  hopo  he  has,  as  I  should  very  much 
like  to  go  into  that  regiment." 

The  approaching  ordeal  was  a  serious  one,  but  Maxy's 
naturally  strong  will  enabled  him  to  overcome  all  dif- 
ficulties ;  he  passed  creditably ;  and  was  appointed  to  an 
ensigncy,  without  purchase,  in  the  66th  Regiment  of  Foot. 
He  never  joined  them,  however,  for  his  hopes  were 
crowned  soon  after  by  his  appointment  to  a  second  lieu- 
tenancy in  the  2d  battalion  of  the  Rifle  Brigade,  at  that 
time  quartered  at  Newport. 

The  period  of  a  lad's  "joining"  is  an  important  epoch 
in  his  life.  Emancipated  from  the  restraints  and  dis- 
cipline of  school,  at  one  step  he  passes  from  boyhood  to 
manhood.  In  that  sunny  morning  of  life,  we  can  well 
imagine  the  delight  with  which  the  young  soldier,  for  the 
first  time,  abandoning  the  garb  of  the  cadet,  puts  on  the 
dark  pelisse  of  the  rifleman,  and  with  lawful  pride  bears 
on  his  breast  the  silver  cross  upon  which  are  inscribed, 
"Copenhagen,  Monte- Video,  Roli^a,  Vimiera,  Corunna, 
Bosaco,  Barrosa,  Fuentes  d'Onor,  Ciudad  Rodrigo,  Badajoz, 
Salamanca,  Vittoria,  Nivelle,  Nive,  Orthes,  Toulouse, 
Peninsula,  Waterloo;"  in  later  times  to  be  enriched  by 
names  no  less  renowned,  and  of  sadder  import  to  many. 

No  letters  of  this  period  exist,  which  might  describe  his 
first  impressions  on  joining.  The  world  with  all  its  plea- 
sures was  now  open  to  him,  and  it  was  hardly  to  be  ex- 
pected that  his  ardent  temperament  would  escape  its 
dangers.  Before  him,  as  before  us  all,  lay  the  broad  and 
the  narrow  way ;  and,  although  his  OAvn  natural  good  sense 
and  good  taste  led  him  to  avoid  those  habits  of  life  into 
which  lower  natures  too  often  fall,  yet  the  biographer 


m 


FRIVOLOUS  LIFE.  ? 

would  not  be  faithfully  painting  his  character,  if  by  his 
sUence  he  glossed  over  those  passages  of  his  early  life;, 
"wherein  in  times  past  he  walked  according  to  ihe  course 
of  this  world,  according  to  the  prince  of  the  power  of  the 
air,  fulfilling  the  desires  of  the  flesh  and  of  the  mind." 
After  the  completion  of  this  memoir,  some  additional 
materials  were  placed  in  the  compiler's  hands,  and  from  these 
one  extract  seems  specially  worthy  of  insertion,  inasmuch 
as  Maxy  makes  use  of  the  very  same  passage  of  Scripture  to 
characterise  his  early  life.  In  a  commentary  on  the 
Ephesians,  we  find  these  remarks :  "  It  is  good  for  me  to 
remember  how  I  walked  in  times  past,  *  according  to  the 
course  of  this  world,  according  to  the  prince  of  the  power 
of  the  air,  fulfilling  the  desires  of  the  flesh,  and  of  the 
mind,  a  child  of  wrath/  Oh  !  how  justly  might  I  then  have 
been  cut  down  as  a  cumberer  of  the  ground — a  rebel  against 
God — a  wilful  and  an  open  transgressor  of  His  holy  laws 
— ^and,  oh  I  how  rich,  how  abounding  has  been  the  mercy 
which  spared  me,  and  which,  I  humbly  trust,  has  brought 
me  as  a  poor  penitent  to  the  foot  of  the  cross  of  Christ/* 
That  his  citizenship  was  at  this  time  altogether  here 
that  his  life  was  wholly  given  to  amusement  and  pleasure, 
might  be  gathered  from  the  few  letters  which  we  possess. 
These  relate  for  the  most  part  to  the  merest  trifles,  and 
are  scarcely  worth  insertion,  were  it  not  for  the  sake  of 
comparing  them  with  those  of  a  later  tima 


"  Newport,  21st  June. 

"  My  dear  Father, — ^I  could  not  answer  your  letter 
earlier ;  the  pic-nic  ended  very  badly,  and  I  am  heartily 
sorry  I  did  not  go  with  you  to  Chepstow.  »  »  *  would  not 


$ 


EARLY  DAYS. 


i 


let  the  band  wait  for  dancing  in  the  evening ;  so  we  were 
obliged  to  content  ourselves  with  a  little  dancing  on  the 
wet  gi'ass."  ... 

The  battalion  was  soon  after  moved  to  Swansea;  and, 
while  there,  orders  arrived  for  foreign  service.  Bermuda 
was  their  destination.  Maxy  announces  this  unexpected 
change  to  his  father  in  the  following  letter: — 

"  Swansea,  21st  August 

"  My  deab  Father, — ^We  are  to  embark  for  foreign 
service  in  about  three  weeks;  and  where  shall  we  go  to,  do 
you  think?  Is  it  to  Gibraltar,  Malta,  the  Cape,  or  Canada? 
We  are  not  destined  to  any  of  these,  but  are  going  to  the 
Bermudas,  of  all  unexpected  places.  It  never  even  en- 
tered anybody's  head  that  we  had  the  remotest  chance  of 
going  there.  Several  expected  to  have  gone  to  Gibraltar, 
which  would  have  been  disgusting  in  the  extreme,  and  a 
sure  stepping-stone  to  the  West  Indies.  The  Bermudas, 
of  course  you  know,  is  one  of  the  best  colonial  stations  we 
have,  and  an  unexceptionable  climate.  I,  for  my  part, 
would  have  preferred  Canada;  but  I  don't  think  we  need 
complain.  We  expect  to  march  out  of  Wales  in  a  few 
days;  but  where  we  shall  go  for  embarkation  I  do  not  yet 
know.  I  am  rather  sorry  that  we  shall  go  out  this  year, 
as  I  should  have  preferred  the  spring;  and  another  thing, 
I  bought  a  very  nice  pony  the  other  day,  as  cheap  as  dirt. 
This  would  do  very  well  for  M.  and  C.  to  ride,  and  if  we 
embark  at  Portsmouth  or  anywhere  else,  I  shall  send  her 
down  for  their  use.  I  will  write  and  let  you  know,  when 
the  '  route'  comes,  where  we  axe  to  go  for  embarkation." 


.  i 


IJEMOVAL  TO  DOVER. 


9 


As  far  as  he  was  concerned,  his  expectations  of  foreign 
service  were  not  so  speedily  realised.  The  battalion 
marched  to  Bristol,  and  from  thence  to  Dover,  where  the 
embarkation  of  the  service  companies  took  place;  and 
Maxy  Hammond,  having  been  told  off  for  one  of  the 
depot  companies,  remained  with  them  at  Dover.  Here 
he  was  quartered  for  some  months;  entering  without 
restraint  into  all  the  trifling  vanities  of  a  garrison  life; 
living  as  he  saw  others  lived,  without  thinking  or  caring 
how,  and  treading  without  the  slightest  misgiving  the 
broad  paths  where  the  shadow  of  the  cross  never  fell 
That  his  pursuits  were  at  best  frivolous,  his  letters  will 
shew.   We  will  extract  some  passages  from  these  letters : — 

"Dover,  Srniday. 

"My  dear  Mother, — I  should  have  enjoyed,  beyond 
measure,  going  to  the  «  «  «'s  ball,  but  I  am  perfectly 
unable,  as  I  am  engaged  to  go  to  a  ball  here  on  the  same 
day  at  Mrs  «  «  «'s;  I  shall  write  to  »  »  «  to  thank  her 
for  asking  me.  We  had  a  very  good  ball  here  on  Friday; 
about  one  hundred  and  fifty  people ;  but  the  room  was 
dreadfully  crowded.  There  are  no  end  of  balls  now.  I 
found  six  invitations  when  I  got  here  (he  was  within 
twelve  miles  of  his  home,  and  was  consequently  frequently 
going  backwards  and  forwards).  If  my  pony  is  sound  I 
wish  you  would  let  me  know,  that  I  may  send  over  for  it ; 
a  capital  ball  at  Canterbury. — Your  affectionate, 

"  M.  M.  Hammond." 


"  Dover,  4>th  Jvme. 
"My  dear  Mother, — I  trust  this  frost  will  leave  off 


10 


EAIU.Y  DAY& 


before  Lady  m  «  ♦'s  ball,  or  it  will  be  very  disadvanta- 
geous to  the  people  from  the  country ;  however,  I  don't 
think  there  will  be  much  snow,  as  the  glass  is  rising.  We 
had  capital  fun  at  the  «  *  «'s  juvenile  dance  last  night 
.  .  .  . — Your  affectionate  son, 

"  M.  M.  Hammond."    ' 

So  passed  the  winter  months.  In  the  early  spring  the 
battalion  left  Bermuda  for  Halifax,  and  Maxy  Hammond 
was  ordered  to  join  the  service  companies.  He  writes 
again  from  Dover : — 

"  Since  I  was  at  home  on  Friday,  another  change  has 
taken  place  in  our  movements:  a  letter  arrived  from 
B  »  «  «  yesterday,  which  said  they  were  not  going  to 
send  us  out  in  the  Resistance,  but  that  we  were  to  go  out 
ahnost  immediately  in  two  transports,  one  of  which  is  now 
lying  off  Deptford,  and  the  other  expected  daily  from  the 
Mediterranean " 

"I  have  just  learned  that  the  names  of  the  trar^s- 
ports  are  the  Premier  and  the  Boyne.  We  expect  to 
embark  from  Deptford  or  Gravesend.  One  hundred  volun- 
teers from  the  1st  battalion  arrived  yesterday  from 
Dublin." 


The  embarkation  took  place  some  time  after,  and  his 
next  letter  is  dated, 

"  Premier,  June  16. 

"  My  dear  Mother, — Here  we  are,  thus  far  having 
made  a  very  fair  passage  up  to  this  time.  We  left  Dover, 
as  you  know,  about  seven  o'clock,  and  arrived  alongside 


Li_.I 


'■"W^ 


.,.  r...?^ 


AT  SEA. 


u 


» 


the  ship  about  two.  As  soon  as  we  got  the  men  into 
their  places,  we  were  told  that  we  were  to  go  off  at  four 
o'clock  next  morning,  which  was  rather  too  so<hi  to  be 
quite  pleasant,  as  we  had  not  brought  any  c  .sentials  for 
the  voyage.  So  I  managed  to  slip  on  shore,  bought  sun- 
dry things,  and  afterwards  went  to  dine  at  the  Clifton 
Hotel,  with  »  •  »  .  We  then  went  on  board  agaui,  and 
found  that  the  medicine  chest  had  not  arrived,  and  that 
the  doctor  would  have  to  go  to  Chatham  to  fetch  it;  so 
the  vessel  was  delayed  till  the  afternoon,  and  we  at  last 
got  fairly  under  weigh  about  half -past  two.  The  wind 
was  then  S.W.,  and  so  we  went  down  the  river  in  grand 
style,  and  came  to  an  anchor  about  dusk,  nearly  opposite 
Heme  Bay.  The  next  morning  we  got  under  weigh  about 
half-past  two,  the  wind  having  chopped  round  to  the  N.E., 
which  was  capital  for  us ;  and  as  it  blew  pretty  fresh,  we 
went  round  the  foreland  at  the  rate  of  about  seven  knots 
an  hour;  put  our  pilot  ashore  in  the  Downs,  and  arrived 
opposite  Dover  about  eight  o'clock.  We  passed  in  a 
splendid  manner,  the  breeze  having  freshened  a  little,  and 
we  had  almost  passed  by  before  the  flag  was  hoisted  at 
the  castle.  I  could  see  nothing  of  anybody  except  ♦  «  * , 
who  was  at  his  window.  I  could  see  nothing  of  Np.  • — 
Marine  Parade.  I  suppose  they  were  in  bed.  We  came 
very  well  down  as  far  as  Dungeness  Lighthouse,  and  then 
the  breeze  slackened,  and  we  came  slowly  as  far  as  this. 
The  wind  having  chopped  round  to  N.N.W.,  which  is 
against  us.  I  am  so  sorry  that  I  did  not  take  poor  Boxer, 
as  they  made  no  objection  to  our  putting  dogs  on  board. 
The  captain  is  a  very  good  sort  of  obliging  sailor,  and  so 
is  the  agent  who  is  sixty-one  ye.nrs  old,  and  only  a  lieu- 


li 


EARLY  DAYS. 


tenant.  A  shocking  thing  occurred  when  we  were  at 
anchor  off  Heme  Bay.  The  corporal  of  the  guard,  who 
was  sleeping  in  the  forecastle,  got  up  in  the  middle  of  the 
ui'^ht  half  asleep,  and  fell  overboard ;  and  before  the  boat 
could  be  lowered,  the  poor  fellow  had  gone  down.  He 
was  a  young  man,  and  a  very  good  steady  soldier.  The- 
only  part  of  it  that  I  don't  like,  is  the  horrid  night  watch, 
which  is  a  great  nuisance  indeed.  The  first  and  last 
watches  are  well  enough,  but  the  middle  watch,  from 
twelve  to  four,  seems  like  an  age.  The  feeding  ;s  decidedly 
indifferent;  but  I  believe  it  is  considered  quite  good  for 
ship-board.  We  have  four  meals  a-day — ^breakfast  at 
nine,  luncheon  at  twelve,  dinner  at  four,  and  tea  at  eight 
— so  that  we  do  pretty  well  on  the  whole.  We  have 
preserved  mUk  which  is  like  oil,  butter  like  tallow,  and 
yellow  water.  Imagine  the  triumph  of  having  passed 
three  days  without  feeling  sick,  or  ever  feeling  off  one's 
feed;  but  the  difference  between  this  and  a  vile  oily 
steamer  is  indescribable.  If  there  is  any  sea,  there  is  pro- 
bably wind,  and  you  go  through  the  water  as  smoothly  as 
possible.  This  vessel  is  a  very  fast  sailer;  we  pass  every 
thing  we  come  near.  Her  accommodation  is  very  good 
indeed;  we  have  each  a  cabin  to  ourselves,  and  they  have 
plenty  of  light  and  air  to  them.  The  men  amuse  them- 
selves in  different  ways;  and  after  our  dinner  they  come 
aft,  and,  with  the  assistance  of  our  Irish  piper,  dance  reels 
and  sing  songs  and  glees,  play  hunt  the  slipper,  and  all 

such  amusements We   expect   to   arrive    off  St 

Catherine's  point  very  soon,  so  I  must  let  go  the  anchor 
and  bring  to,  w'th  my  best  love. — Ever  your  affectionate 
«5on,  M.  M.  R" 


AKRIVAL  AT  HiVLlFAX. 


13 


On  the  2d  of  August  he  writes  again  to  announce  his 
arrival  at  Halifax: — 


''Here  I  am  safely  landed  at  last,  after  a  passage  of 
forty-five  days.  We  had  nothing  but  contrary  winds,  bad 
weather,  and  fogs,  the  whole  way  out ;  if  it  did  not  blow 
hard  it  was  sure  to  fall  a  dead  calm.  I  got  on  very  com- 
fortably till  the  Saturday  night  after  we  started,  when  a 
gale  of  wind  came  on  while  we  were  off  the  coast  of  Ireland, 
and  from  that  time,  for  eight  days  following,  I  was  in  a 
constant  state  of  sea-sickness,  without  any  intermission 
from  morning  to  night ;  ♦  ♦  *  and  .♦  *  ♦  were  quite  as 
bad  as  myself.  I  cannot  describe  to  you  anything  equal 
to  our  misery;  however,  we  at  last  began  to  recover,  and 
never  had  any  return  of  it,  and  I  think  we  all  are  as  good 
sailors  now  as  anybody.  After  beating  across  the  Atlantic, 
we  saw  land  for  the  first  time  on  the  27th,  and  coasted 
down  here,  and  cast  our  anchor  in  Halifax  harbour  at  twelve 
o'clock  P.M.  on  the  29th.  "We  were  very  nearly  missing 
the  harbour  altogether;  and  if  it  had  not  been  for  our  acci- 
dentally falling  in  with  a  pilot,  we  should  very  likely  have 
passed  it,  as  the  Admiralty  charts  proved  to  be  wrong; 
and  we  made  out  by  our  own  reckoning  that  we  were 
thirty  miles  to  the  north  of  where  we  really  were.  The 
pilot  told  us  that  we  had  been  close  to  some  very  danger- 
ous rocks,  which  we  knew  nothing  of.  We  iimused  our- 
selves on  the  voyage  by  shooting  and  harpooning  porpoises; 
and  when  we  got  to  the  bank  of  Newfoundland  we  began 
to  fish,  and  in  two  hours  caught  seventy  large  codfish, 
averaging  from  10  to  25  lbs.  weight;  as  fast  as  you  put 
your  lines  down,  you  hauled  up  fish ;  we  caught  enough 


u 


EARLY  DAYS. 


for  all  the  men  and  crew  besides  ourselves.  But  I  have 
said  enough  about  the  voyage. 

**  Halifax  is  a  town  of  tolerable  size,  built  on  the  side  of 
a  hill,  with  the  citadel  at  the  top.  There  is  a  splendid 
harbour  with  two  o.-  three  small  islands  in  the  middle, 
and  depth  of  water  enough  to  hold  the  largest  ships  of 
war.  A  little  higher  up,  about  three  miles,  there  is  an- 
other fine  piece  of  water,  six  miles  long,  which  joins  the 
basin  by  a  narrow  neck.  Altogether  this  is  a  very  pretty 
place,  and  if  the  houses  were  built  of  stone  it  would  be 
beautiful.  The  houses  are  all  built  of  brick  with  the 
exception  of  the  House  of  Parliament,  which  is  a  fine 
building.  The  streets  are  good,  and  are  at  right  angles 
to  one  another.  The  shops  are  pretty  good.  The  only  thing 
that  I  detest  are  the  thousand  hideous  negroes,  of  every 
shade  and  colour,  from  the  Creole  to  the  blackest  nigger. 
The  women  are  uglier  than  the  men ;  and  when  you  see 
them  dressed  in  white,  they  look  most  absurd.  The  Indian 
squaws  here  astonished  me  at  first.  They  are  dressed  very 
curiously,  with  all  their  clothes  embroidered  with  pearls. 
They  always  walk  in  Indian  file,  one  after  the  other,  about 
a  yard  apart,  with  their  babies  slung  at  their  backs. 

"  All  the  barracks  are  full,  and  will  be  so  till  the  Premier 
is  ready  to  take  away  the  76th,  and  the  Gem  comes  with 
the  battalion  from  Bermuda.  So  at  present  we  are  in  a 
very  uncomfortable  state,  with  nothing  unpacked,  and 
living  at  an  hotel.  I  am  very  glad  to  have  a  chance  of 
seeing  poor  little  Boxer  again,  I  must  say  I  felt  full  of 
compunction  when  I  saw  the  frantic  state  he  was  in  after 
the  boat  shoved  off  at  Dover.  If  he  does  reach  this  place, 
you  may  depend  upon  it  I  shall  not  desert  him  again, 


INCIDENTS  OF  THE  VOYAGE. 


15 


m 


The  rats  on  board  the  Premier  became  at  last  insuffer- 
able ;  and  they  arrived  at  such  a  pitch  that  they  absolutely 
came  on  my  pillow  when  I  was  asleep ;  and  I  have  known 
them  to  run  over  my  body  when  I  have  been  laying  down 
on  watch.  The  noise  they  made  was  something  extra- 
ordinary ;  but  it  will  soon  be  stopped,  as  they  are  going 
to  be  smoked  out.  We  saw  some  very  large  icebergs 
on  our  way  out,  and  one  day  we  were  almost  surrounded 
by  them.  You  can  feel  them  a  long  time  before  they 
come  in  sight,  as  the  air  is  piercingly  cold,  when  you 
are  anywhere  in  their  neighbourhood.  The  Gem  started 
from  Bermuda  with  the  2d  battalion  last  Thursday;  so 
we  expect  them  here  on  Thursday  or  Friday  following. — 
Ever  your  affectionate  son, 

"  M.  M.  Hammond." 


In  these  and  other  letters  of  the  period,  we  find  nothing 
to  distinguish  them  from  those  of  any  other  lad  of  eighteen. 
In  the  simple  and  almost  boyish  narrative  of  his  voyage, 
scarcely  a  passage  occurs  which  elicits  from  him  one 
thoughtful  remark.  Yet  even  now  he  was  not  without 
occasional  misgivings  as  to  his  spiritual  state.  He  was 
living  without  God,  and  he  knew  it.  The  cloud  would 
steal  over  him  from  time  to  time.  On  this  voyage,  as  he 
afterwards  said,  he  knew  that  he  was  not  prepared  to  die; 
and  he  felt  a  desire,  as  the  thought  of  eternity  presented 
itself  to  his  mird,  of  leading  a  bettor  life.  He  had  at 
this  time  a  respect  for  religion,  and  went  to  einirch ;  but 
Sunday  was  a  weariness  to  him ;  and  he  always  indulged 
in  *'  castles  in  the  air  "  durinsj  the  service. 

This  first  trip  across  tlie  Atlantic  probably  gave  him  a 


16 


LXllLY  DAYS. 


taste  for  the  sea,  which  became  afterwards  very  decidedly 
developed;  and  much  as  he  suffered,  as  the  Premier,  with 
the  wind  on  her  quarters,  strained  and  rolled  in  the  trough 
of  those  mountain  waves,  all  was  soon  forgotten,  and  he 
entered  with  a  sailor's  zest  aiid  spirit  into  the  professional 
details  of  the  voyage,  noting  how  the  ship  ran  her  course, 
taking  a  pride  in  her  rapid  sailing,  and  delighting  to  watch 
her  answer  her  helm. 

He  has  mentioned  in  this  letter  more  than  once  a 
favourite  dog  Boxer.  Through  his  life  he  had  a  strong 
love  of  all  animals,  and  especially  of  dogs.  There  is  an 
old  northern  proverb,  "  He  is  an  ill  chiel  whom  flogs  and 
bairns  dinna  love,"  and  there  is,  perhaps,  a  good  deal 
of  truth  in  this  as  in  many  other  common  sayings. 
Maxy  Hammond  had  a  marked  power  of  attaching  ani- 
mals to  himself.  His  generous  eye  and  countenance 
enlisted  their  sympathies ;  they  felt  at  once  his  kind 
nature,  and  returned  it  with  the  fullest  confi'^ence.  This 
extended  even  to  birds,  of  which  he  always  had  one  or 
two ;  usually  a  bullfinch ;  taking  them  out  with  him  even 
on  these  long  voyages.  Boxer  was  a  bull-terrier,  who  was 
never  absent  from  him,  and  on  this  occasion  of  his  first 
voyage,  from  a  doubt  as  to  dogs  being  allowed  on  board, 
he  was  left  behind.  When  the  ship  lay  in  the  offing,  and 
Maxy  put  off  to  her  with  his  luggage  in  a  small  boat. 
Boxer  was  not  permitted  to  accompany  him ;  and,  finding 
that  the  boat  did  not  return,  he  manifested  the  most 
extreme  emotion,  running  eagerly  along  the  beach,  and 
jumping  into  various  boats  in  the  hope  of  getting  off  to 
his  master.  He  was  brought  back  with  us  to  our  home,  but 
after  remaining  with  us  for  some  considerable  time  it  wa$i 


EARLY  DAYS. 


17 


evident  that  his  grief  was  deep-seated.  He  refused  his 
food,  pined  away,  became  very  thin,  and,  in  short,  was  so 
miserable,  that  we  resolved  to  send  him  out  to  Canada. 
The  first  opportunity,  therefore,  was  taken,  and  he  was 
sent  under  the  care  of  another  oflBcer  of  the  Bifles.  On 
reaching  Halifax,  and  being  restored  to  his  master,  Boxer's 
joy  was  unbounded :  a  violent  reaction  took  place ;  and 
he  became  so  immoderately  fat  that  it  amounted  to  de- 
lormity.  Every  means  failed  to  reduce  him,  and  poor 
Boxer's  fidelity  led  at  length  to  his  death. 


h  ; 


18 


FOREST  SCENES. 


CHAPTER  II. 


.Jfomt  Bttm. 


**  Hidden  in  the  alder  bashe% 
There  he  waited  till  the  deer  came; 
Till  he  saw  two  antlers  lifted. 
Saw  two  eyes  look  from  the  thicket. 
Saw  two  nostrils  point  to  windward. 
And  a  deer  came  down  the  pathway 
Fleck'd  with  leafy  light  and  shadow." 


Hiawatha. 


After  Maxy  Hammond's  arrival  at  Halifax,  his  time, 
during  the  first  two  years,  was  passed  much  as  it  had  been 
in  England ;  pleasure  and  amusement  was  the  great  ob- 
ject of  his  lifa    Writing  on  the  2d  of  September  184)2, 

he  says : — 

"You  can't  think  how  I  enjoy  your  accounts  of  all 

the  gaieties,  cricket  matches,  races,  balls,  &c We 

are  still  at  George's  Island.  I  went  out  the  other  day  part- 
ridge shooting,  with  ♦  »  »  and  «  «  ♦.  We  started  at  five; 
rowed  to  the  Indian  camp,  and  having  got  an  Indian  to 
go  with  us,  went  into  the  woods.  We  soon  came  to  a  lake, 
where  we  saw  some  very  large  trout ;  «  #  *  fished  for  them 
for  some  time,  but  did  not  succeed  in  catching  anything; 
we  then  came  to  another  lake,  where  we  saw  some  part 


'nSsf 


^,fa^T,'^i  -i^  ■TV'-'w,': 


iT^i-^/.  (*'TTw-^«^Rr?""- 


SHOOTING  PARTIES. 


19 


ridges;  «  *  «  and  myself  shot  one.  After  this  we  found 
nothing  for  some  hours,  but  at  last  »  *  «  shot  two  more, 
which  closed  our  day's  sport.  We  passed  through  a  track  of 
ground  called  the  'Barrens/  where  there  are  no  trees; 
here  we  tracked  a  bear,  and  soon  after  a  moose.  I  saw  a 
hare  with  a  huge  snake  after  it.  I  am  going  out  moose- 
hunting,  about  thirty  miles  from  here,  the  week  after 
next,  which  I  expect  will  be  much  finer  sport.  I  take  two 
Indians,  and  we  shall  stay  about  a  week  in  the  woods. . . . 
We  are  now  hard  at  work  at  drill,  and  I  think  that  when 
the  men  get  their  new  clothing  and  caps,  they  will  look 
nearly  as  well  as  the  service  companies." 

A  few  days  later,  he  says ; — 

"  Our  winter  has  begun  pretty  severely ;  but  the  cold 
has  hitherto  been  nothing  more  than  in  England;  as 

yet  the  sleighing  has  not  been  good We  have 

now  nearly  all  got  horses.  I  still  continue  to  think 
this  the  stupidest  place  in  the  world ;  the  people  are  not 
the  least  civil  to  us,  and  do  not  seem  to  shew  any  desire 
to  become  acquainted  with  us ;  but  what  can't  be  cured 
must  be  endured.  The  shooting  is  now  nearly  over,  and 
there  is  no  amusement  of  any  sort." 

In  some  letters  of  this  date,  he  says : — 

"  To-day  is  the  first  day  of  Halifax  races,  an  event  of  no 
small  importance  here;  we  muster  about  six  horses  for 
it,  among  which  is  that  well-known  horse  *  Who'd-have- 
thought-it,'  the  property  of  *  *  *.  He  is  going  to  ride 
for  the  hurdle-race,  and  I  think  stands  a  good  chance 
of  winning.  ....  We  had  a  regatta  here  last  Tuesday, 


20 


FOREST  SCENES. 


which  was  great  fun.  I  sailed  my  boat ;  but  succeeded 
only  in  coming  in  fourth.  However,  I  had  the  satisfac- 
tion of  beating  some  very  good  boats.  M  ♦  ♦  «  won 
the  prize  with  his  schooner,  which  is  a  beautiful  boat. 
....  A  dreadful  accide.it  happened  to  an  officer  of  the 
— th  yesterday.  He  was  out  tracking  moose,  and  camo 
to  a  small  brook  that  he  wanted  to  cross ;  so  he  carelessly 
placed  the  butt  of  his  gun  against  a  tree  to  support  him- 
self, with  the  muzzle  in  his  hands.  The  gun  went  off,  and 
the  ball  entered  the  palm  of  his  hand,  passed  through  and 
shattered  the  bones  of  his  wrist,  and  came  out  half-way 
from  the  elbow.  The  poor  fellow  was  by  himself,  and 
about  fifteen  miles  from  home.  All  the  sleighs  are 
driving  about.  There  is  a  tandem  club,  which  most  of  the 
officers  in  garrison  belong  to.  I  do  not  myself;  but  I 
have  got  a  nice  little  sleigh  that  holds  two  people." 


A  brother  officer  and  intimate  friend  of  these  earlier 
years,  says  of  him  at  this  time :  "  He  joined  in  all  the 
amusements  and  sports  incidental  to  military  life ;  and  it 
was  always  remarked  of  him,  that  to  whatever  object  he 
directed  his  attention,  to  it  he  devoted  the  whole  of  his 
energies,  with  a  zeal  and  earnestness  that  became  the 
leading  features  of  his  after  life.  He  always  appeared  to 
be  alive  to  the  reality  of  life  and  the  necessity  of  action  in 
whatever  he  was  engaged." 

The  pursuit  which  just  now  seemed  to  give  hiin  the 
greatest  zest  and  enjoyment  was  moose-hunting.  His 
active  and  atliletic  frame,  and  his  si)irit  of  enterprise, 
fitted  hun  especially  for  a  sport  in  which  the  Red 
Indian  needs  all  his  subtle  acutcness  of  sense,  his  keen 


MOOSE  HUNIING. 


21 


eye,  his  light  foot,  his  quick  ear,  his  power  of  endurance, 
to  cope  with  the  instinctive  sagacity  of  one  of  the  most 
wary  of  the  deer  tribe.  With  some  brother  officer  for 
a  companion,  or  alone,  attended  by  his  faithful  old 
Indian,  Joe  Coape,  the  hunting  party  would  set  out; 
tracing  the  forests  and  desolate  barrens ;  camping  at  night 
under  the  giant  hemlocks;  and  sleeping,,  with  their  feet 
towards  the  bivouac  fire,  upon  beds  of  aromatic  spruce 
branches.  He  loved  the  stately  grandeur  of  those  northern 
forests,  strewn  with  huge  fragments  of  rock;  a  perfect 
network  of  trunks;  across  whose  fallen  forms  cushions  of 
moss  and  lichens  formed  a  treacherous  carpet,  the  favourite 
bed  of  the  sweet  pyrola  and  the  trailing  linnsea;  the  whole 
was  thoroughly  congenial  to  him.  During  his  novitiate 
in  this  sport  he  describes  one  of  these  excursions: — 

"17th  October. 

"  I  have  been  moOse-hunting  again,  and  with  not  much 
better  success.  I  determined  to  go  alone,  and  took  three 
Indians.  We  started  off  about  twenty  miles  from  here, 
and  then  struck  into  the  woods.  The  first  night  we  called, 
but  heard  no  moose ;  the  second  morning  I  was  awakened 
by  one  of  the  Indians  pushing  me,  and  saying,  '  Moose 
coming.'  I  jumped  up  and  listened,  and  soon  heard  him 
coming  through  the  wood;  breakirg  the  branches  with 
his  horns,  and  answering  us.  Two  of  the  Indians  then 
beckoned  to  me  to  follow  them.  We  laid  down  by  the 
side  of  a  narrow  bog.  The  moose  came  nearer  and  nearer, 
but  I  could  not  see  him  for  the  grass;  at  last  the  Indian 
said,  '  Moose  smell  us,  shoot,  shoot,'  so  up  I  jumped  and 
took  a  hurried  shot  at  his  head,  and  actually  missed  himl 


22 


FOREST  SCENES. 


One  of  the  Indians  then  fired  and  missed;  and  I  had  the 
infinite  satisfaction  of  seeing  him  bound  off  into  the  wood 
again,  untouched.  I  was  furious  at  missing  him;  but 
you  won't  know  till  you  have  tried  what  it  is  to  shoot  at 
a  moose.  I  was  so  nervous  that  I  almost  forgot  myself, 
and  the  Indian  made  me  more  so,  by  hurrying  me  to 
shoot.  He  was  a  very  large  one,  with  uncommonly  fine 
horns.  After  this  misfortune,  we  eat  our  breakfast,  and 
then  went  on  further.  Suddenly  one  of  the  Indians 
stopped,  '  I  hear  moose.'  I  listened  very  attentively,  but 
could  not  hear  a  sound.  He  said,  *  There 's  bull  and  cows 
— ^we  try  shoot'  We  took  our  packs  off  and  followed 
them  a  little  way,  and  soon  heard  them  distinctly,  and 
then  we  commenced  creeping.  I  could  now  see  the 
branches  moving  where  the  moose  were,  but  could  not 
see  them,  it  was  so  thick;  at  last  the  Indian  raised  his 
gun  and  fired :  I  rushed  forward,  and  passed  an  enormous 
brute  kicking  on  the  ground,  but  the  cows  had  run  off, 
and  it  was  so  thick  I  could  not  see  to  get  a  shot.  I  staye  1 
out  four  nights  longer,  but  we  had  no  luck,  and  I  went 
home.  I  shall  not  go  out  again  till  the  first  snow,  when 
there  are  plenty  of  cariboo  as  well  ....  People  say 
Halifax  is  the  best  quarter  out  of  England.  I  think  it 
detestable  in  every  respect.  I  have  not  been  out  once 
since  I  have  been  here.  I  want  you  or  E  *  ♦  *  to  look 
out  for  me  a  couple  of  hard-working  spaniels,  as  they  are 
the  only  dogs  that  are  of  any  use.  There  is  a  fair  sprink- 
ling of  woodcocks." 


I 


f: 


About  two  years  later,  while  on  onfe  of  these  hunting 
expeditions,  two  incidents  occurred  which  made  a  deep 


ILLNESS  IN  THE  WOODS. 


2a 


and  permanent  impression  on  Maxy  Hammond's  mind; 
the  dawn  indeed  of  those  convictions  which,  at  a  not 
much  later  period,  by  the  blessed  work  of  the  Holy  Spirit, 
led  to  the  '  bringing  in  of  a  better  hope/ 

These  two  incidents  are  thus  described  by  a  brother  officer 
who  was  Maxy  Hammond's  companion :  "I  was  attacked  by 
a  violent  malady,  incidental  to  the  swampy  and  unhealthy 
districts  to  which  our  sporting  propensities  had  attracted 
us,  and  being  far  beyond  any  medical  assistance,  I  naturally 
caused  a  good  deal  of  anxiety,  and  no  little  alarm  to  my 
fellow-sportsmen.  There  was  no  alternative.  We  had  to 
halt  on  the  ground,  and  send  one  of  our  party  some  200 
miles  for  advice,  and  allow  the  fever  to  run  its  course. 
The  utter  helplessness  of  my  condition,  the  solitude  of  the 
woods,  the  unavailing  efforts  of  my  companions  to  relieve 
me,  appear  to  have  exercised  a  great  effect  on  Hammond ; 
and  in  a  conversation  I  had  with  him  years  afterwards,  I 
found  that  the  impression  caused  by  that  illness  in  the 

silent  woods,  had  never  entirely  left  his  mind At 

the  time,  I  would  not  allow  my  sufferings  to  interfere  with 
the  sports  of  my  companions :  and  as  watching  for  game 
by  night  was  a  great  part  of  the  sport,  I  used  to  be  left  at 
three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  to  allow  them  to  get  to  a 
distance  from  our  camp  before  night-fall,  and  they  seldom 
returned  before  twelve  o'clock;  thus  leaving  me  alone 
till  assistance  came  by  the  woodman  whom  we  had  de- 
spatched. He,  poor  fellow,  travelled  day  and  night,  and 
never  rested  until  he  had  returned  with  such  medicines  as 
a  doctor  could  recommend  for  a  patient  he  could  never 
see.  In  after  days,  I  was  enabled,  personally,  to  repay  that 
debt  of  gratitude.     It  was  in  reference  to  one  of  these 


24 


FOREST  SCENES. 


dreary  nights,  and  in  a  conversation  I  had  with  Hammond, 
at  a  future  period,  that  he  earnestly,  but  most  feelingly, 
expressed  to  me  his  desire  that  I  should  not  let  such  a 
warning  pass.  He  himself  had  a  very  narrow  escape  of 
his  life  in  crossing  a  torrent  with  a  very  heavy  load  of 
moose-meat,  upon  a  single  tree,  accidentally  fallen  across 
the  stream.  He  lost  his  balance,  and  had  not  a  hanging 
branch  arrested  his  fall,  though  nearly  breaking  his  leg, 
his  fate  was  inevitable ;  and  all  present  looked  upon  his 
destruction  as  certain.  The  fallen  branch  merely  held  on 
long  enough  to  allow  the  Indians  to  come  to  his  rescue; 
when  it  gave  way,  and  fell  into  the  torrent  below.  The 
very  insignificance  of  the  means  of  rescue  left  a  deeper 
impression ;  and  from  that  time  he  dated  his  determined 
seizure  of  the  means  of  escape  for  himself  from  a  greater 
if  not  so  apparent  a  danger.'' 


COKVECfilON. 


25 


omond, 
elingly, 
such  a 
cape  of 
load  of 
1  across 
hanging 
his  leg, 
ipon  his 
held  on 
9  rescue; 
)W.    The 
a  deeper 
jtermined 
a  greater 


CHAPTER  III. 


Conversion. 


"  He  w»s  the  Freeman  whom  the  Troth  irade  fre*: 
Who  burst  the  bonds  ot  sin ;  and  for  his  loal 
In  spite  of  fools  consulted  seriously: 
In  spite  of  fusliion,  persevered  in  good : 
Who  did  as  Reason,  not  as  Fancy  bade : 
Who  heard  Temptation  sing,  and  yet  turn'd  not 
Aside;  saw  Sin  bedeck  her  flow'ry  bed. 
And  yet  would  not  go  up;  seeking  one  thing 
Alone,  the  approbation  of  his  God. 
A  heart  by  God's  renewing  spirit  toaohed, 
A  Christian  heart  awaked  from  sleep  <^  sin, 
A  soldier,  listed  in  Messiah's  band. " 

FoiiliOK's  CoCItfiE  OF  TiMI. 


Hitherto,  in  the  bustle  and  gaiety  of  a  garrison,  Ham- 
mond had  had  no  difficulty  in  passing  his  time  from  day 
to  day,  if  not  with  satisfaction,  at  least  with  unconcern. 
But  it  was  not  to  bt  so  long.  Already  the  events  above 
related  had  made  a  strong  impression.  There  was  an 
unsatisfied  feeling,  a  longing  after  happiness  stealing  over 
him,  which  the  excitements  of  this  life  will  not,  cannot 
bring.  Like  the  wise  man,  he  had  said  in  heart :  "  Go  to, 
I  will  prove  thee  with  mirth,  therefore  enjoy  pleasure;  and, 
behold,  this  also  is  vanity."    Now  a  new  voice  startles 


26 


CONVEKSION. 


him,  strange  indeed  to  his  ear  and  imperfectly  heard,  but 
yet  unquestionable  in  its  still  and  solemn  pleading,  "  Be- 
hold, I  stand  at  the  door  and  kTiock."  The  Spirit  was 
commencing  in  his  heart  a  new  and  a  blessed  work;  con- 
viction had  begun;  "There  was  a  noise,  and  behold  a 
shaking,  and  he  said  unto  me,  Son  of  man,  can  these 
bones  live  ? " 

The  year  1 844)  was  to  be  a  memorable  one  in  Maxy  Ham- 
mond's history.  His  outward  life  went  on  as  usual.  But 
in  the  altered  tone  of  his  letters,  we  can  now,  for  the  first 
time,  trace  signs  of  a  coming  change. 

On  the  2d  of  November,  he  writes  to  his  father  from 
Halifax : — 

"I  am  sorry  to  find,  on  reckoning  up  my  bills,  that 
they  amount  to  more  than  I  can  pay;  and  although  I  have 
for  some  months  been  trying  to  retrench,  by  selling  my 
horse  and  giving  up  various  amusements  and  expenses, 
yet  I  find  that  I  am  at  last  obliged  to  come  to  you  for 
assistance.  Sorry  as  I  am  to  be  obliged  to  write  on  sucli 
a  subject,  yet  I  know  that  it  is  my  duty  to  make  a  full 
confession,  and  that  you  would  nob  wish  me  to  do  other- 
wise  You  don't  know  what  pain  it  gives  me  to  send 

home  such  a  letter  as  this,  especially  after  the  kindness  you 
have  always  shewn  me ;  but  /  ivill  pledge  my  word  that  I 
will,  for  the  future,  to  the  utmost  of  my  power,  strive  to  live 
with  economy  and  prudence,  I  have  been  for  the  last 
three  months  living  at  no  expense  whatever,  and  I  am 
fully  determined  to  continue  in  the  same  way.  You  may 
depend  upon  it  that  it  shall  bu  my  constint  endeavour  to 
prevent  giving  cause  for  reproof.     All  I  can  now  do  is  to 


\ 


\ 


CONVICTION. 


27 


)ills,  that 
gh  I  have 

illmg  my 
expenses, 

you  ftir 
on  such 
Lke  a  full 
do  other- 
lie  to  send 
|dness  you 
ir(Z  that  I 
Ivc  to  Uve 
the  last 
.nd  I  an\ 
You  may 
.eavour  to 
Iw  do  is  to 


Ask  your  forgiveness,  and  to  trust  that  you  will  believe  in 
my  sorrow  for  my  foolish  extravagance." 

In  after  years,  when  referring  to  the  great  change  which 
took  place  in  him  while  at  Halifax,  he  said  he  thought 
that  his  debts,  and  the  compunctions  he  felt  on  that  ac- 
count, were  among  the  first  glimmerings  of  conviction  that 
dawned  upon  him.  The  next  letter  will  shew  that  fear 
had  no  part  in  tliis  last  appeal  to  a  father,  whose  whole 
life  had  been  one  of  unvaried  kindness  and  affection  to 
his  children : — 

"  Many  many  thanks,  my  dear  father,  for  your  most  kind 
and  welcome  answer  to  my  letter,  for  which  I  am  truly 
grateful  It  was  with  great  reluctance  that  I  found  my- 
self obliged  to  ask  you  for  assistance,  but  I  thought  it 
better  to  do  so  than  to  struggle  on  making  ujd  my  arrears. 
You  don't  know  what  a  weight  is  now  off  my  mind,  or 
how  happy  your  kind  letter  made  me ;  and  now  I  am 
resolved  to  make  amends  for  my  past  extravagance  by  my 
future  economy;  and  that  this  shall  be  a  lesson  and  a 
warning  to  me  which  I  will  not  forget.  Your  offer  of 
uniforms  are  most  kind,  and  I  can  hardly  thank  you  suffi- 
ciently. I  shall  ask  for  leave  next  year,  as  I  am  begin- 
ning to  get  rather  home-sick,  and  proportionately  tired  of 
blue-noses:  but  after  all  it  is  not  fair  to  grumble,  as  I 
really  like  this  place  very  well,  so  that  I  shall  be  happy  to 
remain  here  for  some  time.     The  bishop  is  very  civil  to 

us,  and  they  are  very  nice  people And  now  I  am 

going  to  relate  to  you  a  dcatli,  which  is  that  of  my 
nearest  relation  on  this  side  the  Atlantic,  poor  Boxer. 
Lie  had  grown  so  fat  that  it  was  feared  he  would  share 


28 


CONVERSION. 


the  fate  of  M.  Vieux  Bois's  horse,  if  he  was  allowed  to 
live;  he  was  so  fat  that  he  could  hardly  walk;  his  diet 
was  reduced  to  half  a  pint  of  milk  every  other  day,  but  to 
no  purpose ;  he  grew  fatter  and  more  fat,  until  at  last  he 
was  unceremoniously  condemned  to  death.  I  shot  another 
moose  last  month,  &c.  &c.  We  had  a  very  enjoyable  fish- 
ing expedition,  I  hooked  two  salmon,  but,  breaking  the 
tackle,  they  both  got  away;  *  ♦  ♦  caught  one  of  15  lbs. 

and  one  of  7^-  lbs I  am  now  a  gentleman  at  large, 

having  given  up  the  situation  of  quarter-master;  I  have 
been  doing  duty  as  adjutant  ever  since  last  July,  and 
am  rather  loth  to  give  it  up.  However,  there  is  the  satis- 
faction of  knowing  that  I  have  learned  more  of  my  pro- 
fession than  I  should  have  done  in  five  years*  ordinary 

duty  as  a  subaltern.    But  I  cannot  complain  when  my  time 

•        }> 
IS  up. 

These  last  letters  are  written  in  a  strain  very  different 
from  those  which  have  preceded  them;  and  the  way  in 
which  he  speaks  of  Halifax  and  its  society  now,  as  con- 
trasted with  his  impressions  two  years  before,  is  not  alto- 
gether without  significance.  He  was  beginning  to  seek 
after  that  which  he  afterwards,  through  grace,  most  fully 
attained — "  in  whatever  state  he  was,  therewith  to  be  con- 
tent.'" His  interest  in  his  profession  was  also  increasing. 
He  had  held  two  temporary  appointments  of  responsibility 
in  his  regiment,  and  in  a  letter  of  16th  July  1844,  he 
adverts  with  evident  pleasure  to  regimental  duties  in  the 
field.     He  says  : — 

"The  only  news  I  know  of  is  a  capital  sham-fight  wc 
had  last  weelv,  in  whicli  the  2d  battalion  were  signally 


FIELD-DAYS. 


29 


red  t6 
is  diet 
but  to 
last  he 
nother 
le  fish- 
ng  the 
15  lbs. 
b  large, 
I  have 
ly,  and 
e  satis- 
Qy  pro- 
rdinary 
ny  time 


iflferent 
way  in 
as  con- 
ot  alto- 
to  seek 

b  fully 
be  con- 
reasing. 
sibility 
J44,  he 

in  the 


ight  wc 
jigually 


defeated  by  the  reserve ;  *  *  *  had  prepared  some  irre- 
gular cavalry,  consisting  of  our  men  dressed  in  smock 
frocks,  with  a  belt  round  the  waist,  and  each  carrying  a  lance, 
who  behaved  most  valiantly;  actually  charging  right  up 
to  the  squares,  and  one  horse  got  pricked  by  one  of  the 
sworda  The  worst  of  it  was,  that  they  were  invincible, 
and  though  always  repulsed,  they  were  at  you  again. 
Subjoined  is  a  plan  of  the  attack."  (This  plan,  rudely 
illustrated  in  his  letter,  shews  at  the  same  time,  that  he 
had  not  allowed  his  Sandhurst  acquirements  to  slip  away.) 
.  .  .  .  "  Next  Monday,"  he  continues,  "  we  shall  have  a 
great  display,  and  wind  up  with  a  lunch  in  the  mess-rooms. 
*  *  *  is  going  home  immediately  on  leave.  I  am  to 
have  charge  of  his  company,  which  will  by  no  means  be 
disagreeable,  ....  and,  besides,  I  like  to  have  something 
to  do." 

His  next  letter  is  to  his  sister: — 

"December  2,  1844. 

"  Our  usual  fortnightly  correspondence  must  soon  cease, 
as  we  have  only  one  packet  out  this  month.  I  must  here 
confess  my  own  selfishness,  but  if  you  knew  with  what 
difficulty  I  write  even  one  short  letter,  you  would  easily 
imagine  it.  I  always  wish  (secretly)  that  we  had  one 
packet  home  and  two  out;  but  you  must  think  me  a  most 
selfish  and  ungrateful  boy,  and  so  I  am,  viz.,  in  the  greedi- 
ness with  which  I  seize  on  my  letters,  and  the  reluctance 
with  which  I  sit  down  for  an  hour  to  answer  them.  I 
have  felt  much  happier  for  the  last  few  weeks,  as  I  have 
begun  a  regular  course  of  reading,  of  which  I  find  the 
benefit  more  and  more  every  day;  instead  of  the  time 


CONVERSION. 


( 


passing  slowly  and  heavily,  I  only  regret  that  it  passes  so 
quickly.  I  generally  find  every  day  that  I  have  not  done 
half  what  I  intended.  I  have  also  got  into  a  habit  of  get- 
ting up  early,  which  I  find  invaluable :  a  quarter  past  seven 
is  my  hour  for  jumping  out  of  bed;  which,  though  difficult 
at  first  in  this  cold  climate,  I  have  succeeded  in  over- 
coming; this  gives  me  an  hour  good  before  breakfast^ 
for  reading,  &c.  .  .  .  How  I  long  to  be  with  you  all  at 
Christmas,  but  it  is  no  use  thinking  of  these  things  when 
they  are  impossible.  I  am  sure  I  ought  to  feel  most 
thankful  for  having  such  kind  friends  as  L  *  *  #  and 
Mrs  L  #  #  ».  I  wish  you  could  know  them;  they  are 
all  kindness  and  good  nature  to  us,  and  have  no  other 

object  but  that  of  doing  good  to  others We  have 

had  the  most  beautiful  winter  here  that  has  been  known 
for  twenty  years.  Fancy  a  sky  without  a  cloud,  a  warm 
sun,  the  thermometer  at  15°  or  20",  with  dry  hard  ground 
without  snow  to  walk  upon,  and  you  have  before  you  the 
beauties  of  a  blue-nose  winter,  of  which  we  have  had 
nothing  else  yet.  But  fancy  a  dark,  black  day,  a  stormy 
northerly  wind,  no  sun,  and  the  thermometer  at  0",  up  to 
your  knees  in  snow,  and  drifting  so  that  you  can  hardly 
see  a  yard  before  you,  with  your  nose  and  chin  in  danger 
of  being  frost-bitten,  and  you  have  the  dark  side  of  the 
picture.  This  is  all  to  be  expected.  ...  I  am  at  present 
living  out  of  my  room,  having  given  it  up  to  my  friend 
«   «    »,  who  is  very  ill," 


f 


We  have  now  reached  the  great,  the  all-important  epoch  . 
of  his  life.     That  crisis  was  rapidly  approaching,  incalcu- 
lably solemn  in  its  import,  when  his  future  character  was 


APPROACHING  CHANGE. 


31 


M 


to  be  decided.  "A  variety  of  circumstances/'  says  a 
brother  officer,  before  quoted,  "appears  to  have  urged 
upon  his  notice  the  impossibility  of  human  efforts  alone 
to  attain  to  a  state  of  happiness,  for  which  he  had  long 
felt  an  earnest  desire."  He  had  already  begun  to  forsake 
the  noise  and  late  hours  of  his  mess  companions  for  the 
retirement  of  LI3  own  room,  and  his  changed  habits  had 
not  escaped  their  observation.  At  this  time  an  officer, 
then  a  ciptain  in  the  regiment,  whose  consistent  and 
earnest  Christian  character  had  long  been  well  known, 
retm-ned  from  England  with  his  young  wife,  and  they  be- 
came the  honoured  instruments,  in  God's  hand,  of  leading 
Maxy  to  the  knowledge  of  his  Saviour.  Arriving  at 
Halifax,  he  found  that  there  were  in  the  regiment  those, 
whose  steadier  habits  seemed  to  hold  out  a  good  hope 
that  they  might  receive  the  word  with  gladness;  and 
among  them  was  Maxy  Hammond.  He  was  at  this  time 
in  the  heyday  of  his  youth — his  figure  was  tall,  his  face 
handsome,  and  his  countenance  was  singularly  bright  and 
prepossessing.  The  officer  alluded  to  thus  describes  him : 
"  He  was  the  most  popular  man  in  the  regiment,  and  a 
great  favourite  in  general  society.  He  had  never  known 
sorrow,  but  he  felt  the  unsatisfactory  nature  of  his  life, 
without  God  and  without  Christ,  and  he  yearned  for  some- 
thing better.  I  can  see  him  now,"  he  goes  on  to  say, 
"followed  by  his  favourite  'Smut'  (if  not  by  a  second 
bull-dog)  through  the  streets  of  Halifax,  where  we  met  him, 
and  I  first  introduced  him  to  N  «  *  *.  He  was  said  to 
be  among  the  steady  ones  at  that  period;  and,  with  the 
faint  hope  that  he  might  be  induced  to  listen  to  the  truth, 
we  invited  him  to  come  and  drink  tea,  and  read  the  Bible 


32 


CONVERSION. 


afterwards.  On  the  night  in  question  he  was  in  the  woods 
moose-hunting;  but,  almost  beyond  our  hopes,  he  made 
his  appearance  the  next  Saturday  evening,  and  joined  with 
us  in  searching  the  Scriptures." 

Maxy  Hammond's  part  was  now  taken;  there  was  no 
hesitation  which  to  choose;  of  him  no  one  could  say, 
"How  long  halt  ye  between  two  opinions?  If  the  Lord 
be  God,  f  oUow  him ;  but  if  Baal,  then  follow  him."  Hence- 
forth the  Lord  was  his  portion.  On  the  17th  December 
1844,  he  begins  a  letter  to  his  father.  "  There  was  joy  in 
the  presence  of  the  angels  of  God"  when  that  letter  was 
written.  It  was  the  open  avowal  of  one  who  was  first  re- 
joicing in  the  hope  set  befpre  him.  He  fills  a  page  with 
general  topics,  and  then  abruptly  says ; — 


"  It  is  now  nearly  Christmas,  and  I  can  hardly  believe 
that  this  will  be  the  third  that  I  have  passed  in  America. 
But  I  feel  happier  now  than  I  have  ever  before;  and  al- 
though I  should  like,  above  all  things,  to  spend  Christmas 
at  home,  I  feel  that  I  shall  enjoy  it  here  very  much.  And 
now  I  must  tell  you  the  cause  of  my  happiness.  Last 
October,  towards  the  end  of  it,  I  found  on  my  return  from 
a  moosing-expedition  a  note  from  L  «  «  «,  who,  with  his 
usual  kindness,  wished,  if  he  possibly  could,  to  be  the 
means  of  doing  some  good  to  us.  The  note  contained  a, 
most  kind  and  friendly  invitation  to  go  up  to  his  house, 
which  I  will  here  copy.  *  Dear  Hammond, — We  purpose 
devoting  r  n  hour  on  Saturday  evening  to  reading  the  Bible 
with  J«##F«*#,  and  if  you  will  join  our  party 
after  mess,  it  would  give  us  great  pleasure.  At  the  same 
time,  I  would  not  wish  you  even  to  send  an  answer  to  thia, 


SEAUCIIING  THE  SCUIPTUKE. 


83 


should  you  not  feel  inclined  •  or,  if  you  should  feel  disposed 
to  come  to  us  this  evening,  t.;at  you  should  consider  your- 
self the  least  tied  to  do  so  the  following  Saturday.  We 
feel  the  value  and  comfort  of  these  things,  and  we  would 
gladly  share  them  with  you:  I  shall  write  a  note  to  #  »  « 
to  the  same  effect/  I  received  this  note  just  as  I  came 
back,  but  it  ti  as  so  late  that  I  could  not  go  that  Saturday ; 
however  the  next  week  I  summoned  up  resolution,  and  in 
fear  and  trembling  went.  I  did  not  much  like  it  the  first 
night,  as  I  then  found  my  utter  ignorance  of  the  Bible, 
which  (shocking  as  it  is  to  think  of)  I  do  not  mind  con- 
fessing to  you,  I  had  scarcely  ever  looked  into  for  years ; 
and,  when  I  had,  it  was  merely  from  a  feeling  of  duty  and 
compulsion,  and  as  a  sort  of  *  lull  to  my  sinful  conscience. 
I  then  began  to  read  every  morning  and  evening  in  my 
own  room,  and  to  write  notes  on  the  most  striking  pas- 
sages; which  I  found  of  great  assistance.  This  awakened 
my  conscience ;  and  by  earnest  prayer  to  God,  He  at  length 
opened  to  me  my  awfully  sinful  state,  and  shewed  me  the 
sinfulness  and  corruption  of  my  heart.  Every  day  shews 
me  more  and  more  my  own  natural  weakness  and  inherent 
depravity,  and  makes  me  feel  the  necessity  of  trusting  in 
myself  for  nothing,  but  constantly  to  seek  God's  assistance, 
without  which,  I  should  fall  back  into  my  former  state 
of  sin.  Oh !  how  I  bless  God  for  His  mercy  in  having 
brought  me  to  a  sense  of  my  awful  stat*^.  I  may  now, 
through  God's  assistance  and  mercy,  be  enabled  to  pass 
the  remainder  of  my  days  in  His  fear  and  love;  and  so  be 
rendered  fit  for  eternal  happiness  when  I  die.  But  before 
this,  I  had  been  rushing  heatUong  to  my  own  destruction; 
and  should  inevitably  have  fallen  but  for  God's  loving-kind- 

0 


34 


CONVERSION. 


ness  and  mercy.     I  received  the  sacrament  a  few  Sundays 
ago  for  the  first  time  since  I  joined  the  regiment.     I  hesi- 
tated for  some  time  whether  I  thought  myself  worthy  or 
not,  and  at  length  made  up  my  mind  to  take  it:  my  feel- 
ings then  I  cannot  describe ;  but  I  was  deeply  impressed 
with  the  solemnity  and  importance  of  this  blessed  ordi- 
nance, and  afterwards  experienced  a  comfort  which  I  had 
never  till  then  known.     I  shudder  to  think  how  awfully  I 
have  sinned  in  receiving  it  unworthily  at  home,  merely 
because  I  was  afraid  to  decline  doing  so  to  yoiL    But  I 
never  then  knew  what  danger  I  was  incurring,  and  how  I 
was  provoking  God's  anger  against  me.     You  will  be  as- 
tonished at  my  writing  such  a  letter  as  this,  especially  after 
beginning  it  on  such  trifling  subjects ;  but  I  did  not  then 
intend  to  confess  what  I  have  now  done.     I  daresay  I  have 
written  great  nonsense,  but  you  must  forgive  me,  as  I  can- 
not express  on  paper  what  I  feel ;  but  be  assured,  dear 
father,  that  I  am  sincere  in  what  I  have  said.     Our  parties 
at  L  #  «  #'s  are  more  delightful  every  time,  and  we  de- 
rive great  comfort  and  instruction  from  them.     Our  circle 
consists  of  five  persons.     W^e  read  a  portion  of  some  chap- 
ter, and  after\\'ards  comment  upon  it,  and  join  in  general 
conversation.     We  also  read  a  chapter  every  night  in  one 
of  our  rooms,  which  is  most  enjoyable.    You  may  read 
this  letter  publicly  or  not  as  you  like.     I  wish  to  conceal 
nothing  from  any  one ;  and  now  I  shall  wait,  longing  for 
your  answer  to  this. — Believe  mc,  ever  your  most  affec- 
tionate son,  M.  M.  Hammond." 


^ 


In  connexion  with  this  letter  and  iibaMMiMMtk',  the 
great  change,  which  Maxy  had  undergone,  we  may  appro- 


REOKNERATION. 


85 


priately  introduce  an  extract  from  his  commentary  on  Eph. 
ii.  10,  written  several  years  later.  He  says:  "The  heart 
•  being  evil,  out  of  it  proceed  only  evil  thoughts  and  sinful 
practices.  Hence  the  necessity  of  that  mighty  change 
which  is  wrought  in  the  believer  by  the  Spirit  of  God. 
The  heart  being  renewed  by  Divine  grace,  and  created 
anew  by  Christ  Jesus  unto  holiness,  good  works  follow, 
as  the  natural  result.  And  this  is  according  to  the  pur- 
pose of  God,  who  hath  predestinated  His  own  people  to 
be  conformed  to  the  image  of  His  Son.  It  is  good  to 
be  reminded  of  what  we  were  by  nature,  and  what  we 
have  become  by  the  free  and  sovereign  grace  of  God.  By 
nature,  *  Gentiles  in  the  flesh,'  spiritually  *  un circumcised,* 
'  without  Christ,'  being  *  ciiens  from  the  commonwealth  of 
Israel,'  separated  from  the  family  of  God,  '  strangers  from 
the  covenant  of  promise,'  '  having  no  hope,  and  without 
God  in  the  world;'  but  now,  by  grace  'made  nigh  by  the 
blood  of  Christ.'  The  blood  of  Christ,  sprinkled  upon  the 
conscience,  received  by  faith,  and  applied  by  the  Holy 
Spirit,  removes  guilt,  softens  the  heart,  brings  the  soul 
into  covenant  with  God,  and  brings  reconciliation,  pardon, 
and  peace."  And  again,  on  Eph.  ii.  19,  he  says:  "Once 
I  was  far  off  from  God— His  enemy  by  wicked  works — a 
stranger  to  His  gi'ace,  His  ways,  and  His  people — a 
foreigner  in  His  dominion,  having  xiO  claim  to  tteTitle^ 
of  a  subject]  but  now,  through  abounding  mercy,  Tiow 
great  is  the  change  !  The  alien  is  become  a  citizen — the 
foreigner  a  free  subject — numbered  with  the  household 
and  family  of  God — partaker  of  all  the  glorious  privileges 
and  hopes  of  the  gospel." T^lf^   ,,,-. 

The  Saturday  evenings  at  Captain  L  *  ♦  *  's  quarters 


36 


CONVEKSION. 


became  now  stated  periods  for  reading  the  Scriptures  and 
for  prayer.  Three  or  four  officers  of  the  regiment,  and 
one  or  two  others  belonging  to  the  garrison,  in  process 
of  time,  joined;  and  at  these  happy  assembli<}s  Captain 
L  ♦  ♦  ♦  and  his  wife  received  with  joy  those  young 
searchers  after  the  truth,  "  and  expounded  unto  them  the 
way  of  God  more  perfectly." 

Of  the  early  meetings,  Mrs  L  ♦  «  ♦  writes  thus: 
"The  person  in  whom  I  am  most  interested  is  young 
Mr  Hammond.  His  mind  is  so  honest,  his  disposition 
so  frank  and  open,  his  character  so  lirm  and  decided. 
He  is  no  sooner  convinced  of  the  truth  than  he  em- 
braces it,  owns  it  before  all  the  world,  and  resolutely  acts 
up  to  it  ...  .  You  will  be  glad  to  hear  how  well  our 
Saturday  evening  went  off;  Mr  Hammond  talked  and 
asked  questions  with  great  animation:  he  found  many 
references  on  prayer ;  dwelt  on  the  freeness  of  our  access 
to  God,  its  privileges,  and  the  happiness  of  receiving 
blessings  in  answer  to  our  prayers.  In  the  course  of  con- 
versation the  text  was  quoted,  '  He  that  saveth  a  soul  from 
death,  shall  hide  a  multitude  of  sins,'  and  the  two  young 
gentlemen  seemed  quite  astonished  when  A  ♦  «  «  alluded 
to  the  idea  of  *  hiding  sins,'  meaning  *  our  own  sins  being 
passed  over,'  as  not  correct:  also  that  'charity  covereth  a 
multitude  of  sins,'  did  not  mean  that  our  own  sins  should 
be  forgiven  if  we  were  charitable.  Mr  Hammond  looked  up 
with  his  open,  noble  countenance,  all  wonder  and  inquiry : 
*  Well,  doesn't  it  mean  that?'  A  «  «  «  explained  what  is 
evidently  the  correct  meaning,  and  Mr  Hammond  ex- 
claimed,* Well,  to  be  sure,  I  wonder  I  did  not  see.*  A  «  «  « 


BATUKDAY  KEADINOS. 


87 


laughed,  and  said  he  had  heard  the  text  used  in  the  other 
sense  often  enough,  when  he  went  into  the  mess-room  to 
get  a  subscription:  *0h,  chavity  covers  a  multitude  of 
sins ;  put  me  down  five  dollars  I'  They  laughed  heartily, 
at  the  recollection  probably  of  how  often  they  had  said  the 
same.  In  speaking  oi  the  '  strait'  gate,  it  struck  them  for 
the  first  time,  that  *  struit'  meant  *  narrow,'  not  the  con- 
trary of  crooked.  The  following  Saturday,  November  9th, 
both  Mr  Hammond  and  Mr  »  #  •  talked  more,  and 
seemed  even  more  earnest.  Mr  Hammond  said  that  one 
morning  while  out  with  the  troops,  he  felt  very  much 
out  of  spirits.  He  met  Captain  F  •  «  «,  whose  remark- 
able change  had  made  an  impression  on  the  most  thought- 
less, and  told  him  he  felt  very  miserable.  Captain  F  »  #  * 
replied,  *  Oh  !  I  am  sorry  you  are  miserable,  I  am  always 
happy  now!'  Mr  Hammond  said  he  went  home,  and 
thought  there  must  be  something  in  religion,  if  it  could 
make  a  man  ahoays  happy;  I  said  it  was  indeed  a  great 
proof  of  its  reality  and  power ;  he  said,  '  Yes,  and  when 
people  will  confess  it  too  in  conversation.'  I  am  sure  the 
noise  they  all  made  when  they  went,  might  have  convinced 
any  one  that  our  serious  conversation  had  not  had  a  very 
bad  efiect  on  their  spirits." 

In  another  letter,  the  same  writer  says : — 

"A  little  while  ago,  Mr  Hammond  told  us  it  was 
quite  impossible  he  could  ever  get  up  early  in  the  morning. 
He  acknowledged  the  value  of  a  quiet  hour  before  break- 
fast, and  that  he  was  liable  to  be  interrupted  all  the  rest  of 
the  day:  but  get  up  aarly  he  was  certain  he  never  could. 


88 


CONVERSION. 


fc. 


A  •  •  •  said, '  Wlien  you  have  a  motive  strong  enough  you 
will  find  you  can ;'  and  last  Saturday  he  told  us  that,  for 
several  months,  he  had  risen  at  seven,  cold  and  dark  as  it  is. 
We  congratulated  him,  and  he  laughed ;  and  said,  *  I  assure 
you  when  I  turn  out  at  seven,  I  am  astonished  at  myself.' 
Mr  Hammond  had  made  an  engagement  to  go  out  moose- 
hunting  for  a  fortnight;  but  now  he  wants  to  get  off: 
'  not,'  he  says,  *  that  I  do  not  enjoy  the  woods ;  but  hunting 
on  Sunday  is  out  of  the  question ;  and,  besides,  it  is  a  long 
time  to  spend  in  idleness.'  Neither  A  ♦  ♦  *  nor  *  *  * 
have  ever  urged  Mr  Hammond  or  Mr  #  #  *  to  give 
up  anything  of  worldly  amusement;  and  the  subject  is 
never  mentioned,  except  when  introduced  by  the  young 
men  themselves;  t.cA  then  A  •  *  «  tells  them  to  give 
nothing  up  till  they  can  see  their  way  clearly ;  till  they  know 
why,  and  for  what  they  are  giving  it  up.  We  had  a  most 
happy  evening  last  Saturday.  I  am  sure  no  one  who  ever 
saw  our  little  band,  could  ever  again  dare  to  say,  that 
religion  is  a  gloomy  thing.  Captain  W  «  #  ♦  say.s, 
that  he  has  now,  for  the  ^rst  time,  a  faint  idea  of  what 
happiness  is.  Mr  Hammond  comes  in  with  a  counte- 
nance perfectly  radiant,  and  many  a  hearty  laugh  we  have 
together.  The  other  day  when  the  ladies  dined  at  the 
mess,  poor  Mr  Hammond  got  sadly  bullied ;  they  happened 
to  hear  him  say  that  he  should  give  up  smoking,  and  this 
formed  the  signal  for  attack.  Many  unkind  and  cutting 
things  were  said,  and  he  is  a  person  to  feel  it  dee2)ly ;  but 
his  is  a  most  unflinching  spirit.  He  told  A  #  #  #  after- 
wards, that  when  he  went  to  his  room  he  found  greater 
comfort  in  prayer,  thai   he  had  ever  done  before;  and 


>wfi^r-^iir^ir ' 


EAItLY  TKIALS.  SO 

added,  that  he  ought  to  rejoice  in  being  able  to  suffer 
anything  for  Christ's  sake.  You  know  I  always  admire 
firmness  and  manliness  of  character,  and  to  find  it  in  one  so 
young,  and  united  to  so  much  gentleness  and  humility,  is 
very  beautiful.  He  is  indeed  a  devoted  young  Christian, 
and  his  one  desire  seeros  that  his  tongue  and  his  pen,  his 
heart  and  his  head,  should  be  given  to  his  Master's 
service."    nL 


1 


/ 


^t'W^^.f^ 


40 


CHANGED  HABITS. 


CHAPTER  IV. 


C|angej&  HaWls. 


"  Old  things  are  passed  away ;  behold,  all  things  are  beoome  new."- 

2  Gob.  t.  17. 


Here  then  in  Halifax,  among  the  deadening  influences  of 
a  garrison  life,  as  at  Corinth  or  at  Ephesus  in  the  early 
morning  of  Christianity,  a  little  Church  was  forming:  a 
brotherhood  marked  by  one  especial  feature  common  to 
the  Church  of  old — the  inseparable  signet  of  every  one  that 
is  bom  of  God,  love  to  each  other — "  They  knew  that  they 
had  passed  from  death  unto  life,  because  they  loved  the 
brethren ;"  and  of  these  there  was  one  whose  heart,  bound 
up  with  him  in  Christ,  was  knitted  to  Maxy's  with  a  love 
like  that  of  David's  toward  Jonathan ;  of  whom  it  might 
be  truly  said,  "  There  is  a  friend  that  sticketh  closer  than 
a  brother."  Of  these  pleasant  days  that  friend  and  brother 
writes :  — 


"October  29th,  1855. 

"  I  think  it  was  towards  the  end  of  1 844, 1  recollect  the 
day,  a  very,  very  bright  one,  when  Colonel  (then  Captain) 
L  ♦  ♦  ♦  told  me  that  he  and  his  wife  had  written  a  note 
to  Hammond  and  «  «  »,  requesting  them  to  come  to  his 


LEARNING  AND  TEACHING. 


4Jl 


house  on  Saturday  evening  after  mess,  and  converse  over 
a  portion  of  Scripture  with  prayer.  I"  may  state  that 
L  «  «  *  and  I,  previous  to  his  marriage,  had  been  in  the 
habit  of  thus  meeting;  and  now,  much  to  my  delight,  I 
found  that  his  marriage  was  not  to  be  a  hindrance  to  a 
renewal,  on  a  larger  scale,  of  our  little  reunion.  They  all 
agreed  to  come ;  and  continued  to  do  so,  unless  prevented 
by  duty  or  some  other  urgent  cause.  Very  shortly  these 
simple,  yet  powerful  means  began  to  tell  on  their  hearts 
and  consciences,  and  their  conversation  began  gradually  to 
change.  Very  soon  we  all  four  got  into  the  same  staircase 
in  barracks,  and  I  have  a  lively  recollection  of  dearest 
Hammond  coming  to  my  room,  with  diiSiculties  about  texts 
of  Scripture  in  regard  to  the  communion.  «  m  *'s  room 
was  next  to  mine;  and  for  some  weeks  we  met  every  night 
in  his  room,  reading  the  Word,  searching  it  as  a  new  book, 
as  it  were  opened  now  for  the  first  time  in  their  lives. 
At  this  time  a  lady  gave  him  M'Cheyne's  Memoir  to  read, 
and  he  and  W  *  *  ♦  were  deeply  impressed  by  it. 
About  this  time,  also,  a  garrison  Sunday  School  for  the 
soldiers  was  in  operation,  under  the  superintendence  of  Dr 
T  *  *  *,  the  garrison  chaplain;  assisted  by  officers  be- 
longing to  different  regiments,  as  well  as  to  the  civil 
branches  of  the  service.  We  used  to  meet  in  the  week- 
day with  Dr  T  ♦  #  *,  at  the  Ordnance  Office,  tor  some 
study  of  the  lesson  of  the  following  Sunday.  Our  young 
recruits  joined  and  gave  their  assistance,  being  taught  and 
watered  themselves  whilst  teaching  others.  Some  Chris- 
tian families  in  the  town,  belonging  to  Mr  C  #  *  «  s 
congregation,  had  also  a  Wednesday  evening,  at  each 
other's  house  alternately,  of  a  very  instructive  and  re- 


m 


CHANGED  HABITS. 


freshing  kind;  very  useful  to  Christian  officers,  who  were 
thus,  at  once,  introduced  to  religious  friends.  These  were, 
indeed,  four  bright,  happy,  and  useful  years  spent  in 
Halifax;  when  the  Spirit  came  down  in  many  places  in 
the  town,  and  from  time  to  time  we  knew  of  souls  being 

added  to  Christ,  in  the  garrison  and  without  it 

From  the  outset  of  his  religious  course,  Hammond  was 
always  clear  and  decided ;  there  was  no  doubt  who  was  his 
Master.  His  light  began  very  soon  to  shine  brightly. 
Indeed,  the  change  was  so  striking,  so  marked,  so  very  real, 
that  often  when  my  mind  has  been  in  doubts,  and  fears, 
and  misgivings,  I  had  only  to  turn  to  this  living  example 
daily  before  me,  and  I  no  longer  doubted  of  the  truth  of 
a  change  of  heart  and  life  wrought  by  the  Spirit  of  God." 

An  instance  of  the  heartiness  with  which  Maxy  Ham- 
mond threw  himself  into  the  practical  duties  of  the  new 
life  upon  which  he  had  just  entered,  is  related  in  the 
following  extract  from  the  letter  of  an  officer:  "The 
Sunday  School,  of  which  I  spoke,  was  intended  for  the 
soldiers  of  the  various  regiments  in  the  garrison  of  Halifax, 
and  was  held  in  a  large  ioom  within  the  barracks.  Ham- 
mond, with  several  officers  of  the  Rifle  Brigade,  and  a  few 
more  belonging  to  the  garrison,  occupied  themselves  in 
teaching  classes.  About  this  period  an  order  was  issued 
prohibiting  officers,  in  the  Rifle  Brigade,  from  instructing 
their  men  a?  they  had  been  doing :  in  the  mistaken  idea,  I 
believe,  that  it  would  cause  too  much  familiarity  among 
officers  and  men.  Those  who  had  the  privilege  of  teaching 
in  the  same  school  will  remember  the  deep  grief  which  the 
order  caused  to  Maxy  Hammond,  when  deprived  of  the 


fTi ...  .flf  —  *^  i*Sr '7^  f -^"l^** 


THE  HAPPY  CHARACTER  OF  HIS  CONVERSION. 


43 


1,  who  were 
These  were, 
s  spent  in 
y  places  in 
souls  being 
t  it.  .  .  .  . 
nmond  was 
vho  was  his 
le  brightly. 
50  very  real, 
and  fears, 
ig  example 
he  truth  of 
it  of  God." 

laxy  Ham- 
of  the  new 
ited  in  the 
cer:  "The 
ed  for  the 
of  Halifax, 
£s.  Hara- 
and  a  few 
mselves  in 
was  issued 
instructing 
ken  idea,  I 
ity  among 
}f  teaching 
■  which  the 
vfcd  of  the 


'^^'.A 

Wh 


work  in  which  he  took  so  much  delight.  Nor  will  the 
remark  be  forgotten  which  he  made,  after  the  prohibition 
to  teach:  *  Well,'  he  said,  *  if  I  must  not  teach,  I  suppose 
there  is  no  order  to  prevent  my  learning;'  and,  accord- 
ingly, he  sat  down  at  one  end  of  the  form  on  which  some 
of  his  own  men  and  others  were  seated,  and  listened  to  the 
teaching  of  one  whose  position  should  have  been  at  his 
feet." 

In  various  ways  and  at  various  times,  it  pleiises  the 
Lord  to  call  into  His  fold  one  and  another  of  His  people. 
And,  next  to  the  immediate  instrumentality  of  His  Word, 
perhaps  no  means  is  so  commonly  used  as  some  afflictive 
dispensation.  Long  wanderings  through  the  wilderness, 
bitter  draughts  at  the  fountain  of  Mara,  are  the  portion  of 
many  before  ti'^.y  "^nd  "light  in  the  evening  time."  But 
it  was  not  thus  iv  l.  Maxy  Hammond.  In  the  summer 
of  his  life  he  listened  to  the  voice  of  the  Beloved — "  Rise 
up,  my  love,  and  come  away ;  for  lo !  the  winter  is  past, 
the  rain  is  over  and  gone,  the  flowers  appear  on  the  earth, 
and  the  time  of  the  singing  of  birds  is  come."  He  loved 
to  dwell  on  this  himself.  He  was  drawn  with  the  bands 
of  love. 

Speaking  of  her  happy  acquaintance  with  him,  a  lady 
says:  "I  shall  never  forget  him,  or  the  impression  he 
left  upon  me ;  so  earnest,  so  single-minded,  so  very  lovely 
in  manner  and  expression,  and  such  deep,  devoted  love 
to  the  Saviour  and  His  cause.  He  recalled  M'Cheyne; 
breathing  the  very  spiiit  of  holiness.  I  remember  so  well 
one  day  his  sitting  with  me  at  Belmont,  near  Quebec,  and 
speaking  of  the  trials  and  joys  of  young  converts,  his 
whole  face  beaming  with  bright  expression,  he  drew  my 


lii 


S- 


£ 


iiS 


u 


CHANGED  HABITS. 


attention  to  that  passage  in  Deut.  xxiv.  5 :  *  When  a  man 
hath  taken  a  new  wife,  he  shall  not  go  out  to  war,  neither 
shall  he  be  charged  with  any  business;  but  he  shall  be 
free  at  home  one  year,  and  shall  cheer  up  his  wife  which 
he  hath  taken.'  You  cannot  think  how  often  his  voice 
and  words  have  recurred  to  me  since.  His  day  or  year  o^ 
espousals  to  Christ,  was,  he  said,  so  bright,  so  clear  a  one." 
The  first  avowal  of  his  new  opinions  among  his  old 
friends  brought  with  it  its  trials.  Wannly  attached  to 
many  of  his  brother  oflScers,  he  viewed  with  sorrow  and 
anxiety  their  continuance  in  the  way  that  leadeth  to  de- 
struction: 

"  Jesus,  how  my  heart  is  pained. 

How  it  mourns  for  souls  deceived ; 
When  I  hear  Thy  Name  profaned, 
When  I  see  Thy  Spirit  grieved;" — 

and  having  been  mercifully  enlightened  himself,  and  having 
tasted  of  the  heavenly  gift,  he  prayed,  if  it  were  possible, 
that  they  should  be  partakers  of  his  joy.  He  relates,  him- 
self, a  conversation  with  a  brother  officer,  which  is  very 
interesting — "  We  were  sitting  together,  and  at  last  I  said 
to  «  #  #  '  I  wonder  you  never  think  of  the  life  we  are  all 
leading.'  •  *  *  started  up  and  said,  bitterly,  *If  yru  are 
going  to  preach,  I'm  off.'  His  tone  and  manner  wounded 
my  very  heart;  but  I  called  him  back,  telling  him,  I  was 
not  going  to  preach,  lor  I  could  not.  I  told  him,  I  meant 
to  give  up  my  own  ways,  that  I  was  much  happier  reading 
in  my  own  room,  than  I  ever  had  been  drinking  and 
smoking  with  them;  I  said,  I  knew  I  must  lose  the 
friendship  of  my  old  friends,  but  that  I  was  quite  pre- 


THE  BEPROACH  OF  THE  CROSS. 


45 


Ihen  a  man 
N&r,  neither 
he  shall  be 
wife  which 
n  his  voice 
y  or  year  o^ 
ilear  a  one." 
3ng  his  old 
attached  to 
sorrow  and 
ideth  to  de- 


',  and  having 
jre  possible, 
relates,  him- 
lich  is  very 
Lt  last  I  said 
'e  we  are  all 

'  If  yr  u  are 
ler  wounded 

him,  I  was 
lim,  I  meant 
pier  reading 
rinking  and 
st  lose  the 
3  quite  pre- 


pared for.  #  •  •  said,  *  Oh  no,  every  man  has  a  right  to 
his  own  opinions.'  Afterwards,  *  *  *  was  not  only 
softened,  but  affected.  We  parted  good  friends,  but  from 
that  time  he  became  distant  and  reserved."  It  was,  per- 
haps, owing  to  what  has  been  characterised,  by  one  who 
spoke  of  him  long  afterwards,  as  "  the  lofty  simplicity  and 
genuine  unaffected  piety  of  his  character,"  that  he  was  not. 
so  frequently  exposed  to  scenes  of  this  nature,  as  mii^ht 
have  been  expected.  Still  we  can  quite  understand  that, 
to  his  warm  and  affectionate  disposition,  such  scenes  as 
these  must  have  been  sore  trials.  But  he  had  taken  up 
the  cross,  and  rejoiced  to  bear  its  reproach. 

In  a  letter  to  his  mother  from  Halifax,  he  alludes  to 
these  trials  as  well  as  to  the  new  source  of  happiness  now 
opened  to  him : — 

"  January  2d,  1 845. 

"  I  often  think  how  ungrateful  I  have  been  to  you  and  to 
Father,  in  neglecting  your  kind  advice,  and  in  having  been 
the  wilful  cause  of  so  much  trouble  and  anxiety  to  you 
both.  I  pray  to  God,  that  this  may  never  be  the  case 
again,  and  that  I  may  make  up  for  my  past  want  of  atten- 
tion and  ingratitude  by  my  future  conduct.  I  wish  you 
could  know  Mrs  L  «  «  « ;  she  is  the  sweetest  and  kindest 
person  I  ever  met  with  in  my  life ;  I  reall;^  love  her  as 
much  as  a  sister.  But  you  may  easily  imagine  what  it  is 
to  meet  with  a  person  you  can  really  call  a  friend,  in  a 
foreign  country,  where  you  meet  with  nothing  but  the 
coldness  and  formality  of  the  world ;  we  have  also  re- 
ceived great  kindness  from  several  other  people,  and  I  see 
more  and  more  every  day,  what  a  different  kind  of  friend- 


46 


CHANGED  HABITS. 


ship  this  is  from  that  of  the  world  in  general.  But  we 
cannot  expect  to  have  our  happiness  unmixed  with  annoy- 
ances and  indeed  sorrow,  or  to  receive  it  without  trials ; 
and  you  well  know,  no  doubt,  that  we  do  not  receive  any 
encouragement  from  our  brother  officers.  It  is  very  pain- 
ful to  see  plainly  a  reserve  and  coolness  among  many  who 
wei-e  before  our  greatest  friends;  but  it  is  quite  impos- 
sible to  keep  on  the  same  terms  of  intimacy  as  before,  a? 
our  tastes  and  ideas  are  so  opposed,  that  we  cannot  associate 
with  them  as  we  used.  This,  certainly,  is  very  painful; 
but  when  we  consider  what  it  is  for,  it  is  also  very  neces- 
sary; for  what  sacrifices  ought  we  not  to  make,  if  it  inter- 
fere in  any  way  with  our  duty  to  our  God  ?  But  we  may 
still  hope  and  trust  to  be  as  great  friends  as  before,  though 
not  to  the  same  extent  .  .  .  Ever  your  aifectionate  son, 

"  M.  M.  Haaimond.'* 

Maxy  often  alluded  to  the  very  great  difficulty  he  experi- 
enced in  abandoning  the  habit  of  swearing.  He  used  to 
think  that  nothing  could  make  him  give  up  this  habit. 
But  he  overcame  it ;  and  once  only  was  he  betrayed  into 
its  commission.  And  then,  when  under  circumstances  of 
great  provocation,  an  oath  passed  his  lips,  his  remorse 
and  humiliation  were  most  poignant.  He  soon  became 
very  jealous  of  his  time ;  regarding  it  as  a  gift  to  be  em- 
ployed in  the  service  of  his  Master.  He  was  excessively 
fond  of  music;  and  had  hitherto  frequently  spent  whole 
afternoons  in  listening  to  the  band  practising ;  but  this  he 
now  abandoned.  Yet  his  strong  love  *or  music  remained 
unchanged.  Shortly  before  leaving  E  land,  in  1853, 
when  speaking  of  music,  he  said  tha^  tii^.  opera  was  the 


\ 


LOVE  OF  MUSIC  AND  HABITS  OF  PKAYER. 


47 


I.    But  we 
dth  annoy- 
lout  trials ; 
receive  any 
I  very  pain- 
many  who 
lite  impos- 
s  before,  a? 
lot  associate 
jry  painful; 
very  neces- 
?,  if  it  inter- 
But  we  may 
fore,  though 
etionate  son, 
\mmond/' 

by  he  experi- 
He  used  to 
)  this  habit, 
tetrayed  into 
imstances  of 
lis  remorse 
joon  became 
ift  to  be  em- 
excessively 
spent  whole 
but  this  he 
sic  remained 
d,  in  1853, 
pera  was  the 


only  worldly  amusement  which  had  cost  him  some  self- 
denial  to  give  up.  "  Not,''  he  added,  "  that  I  could  en- 
joy it  now,  were  I  to  go  ;  for  I  could  not  help  thinking  of 
the  evil  connected  with  it."  And  then  he  added,  with 
much  animation,  "  /  always  feel  that  I  must  wait  till  1 
get  to  heaven,  to  enjoy  music.  I  often  feel  a  craving  for  it 
v/hicli  cannot  be  satisfied  here,  and  I  am  sure  that  the 
love  of  harmony  cannot  have  been  implanted  in  our  natu:  *  >: 
for  nothing." 

Speaking  afterwards  of  the  change  wrought  in  his  whole 
mind  by  his  conversion,  he  instanced  the  interest  he  began 
at  once  to  take  in  books  of  general  information,  history, 
poetry,  &c.,  whereas,  he  had  scarcely  before  read  anything 
except  the  newspaper.  Prescott's  "Ferdinand  and  Isa- 
bella," D'Aubigne's  "  Reformatioa,''  i^atler's  "Analogy," 
PoUok's  "  Course  of  Time,"  were  some  of  tlie  first  books  he 
read  at  Halifax.  And  the  habit  of  reading  books  of  this 
character,  adopted  in  the  first  instance  Irom  a  sense  of 
duty,  very  soon  became  as  attractive  as  it  had  previously 
been  irksome  to  him.  The  natural  cast  of  his  mind,  in- 
deed, appears  to  have  been  remodelled,  and  fresh  habits  to 
have  been  adopted,  based  upon  principles  altogether  new. 
The  responsibility  of  man,  in  regard  to  the  use  of  those 
gifts  with  which  the  Creator  has  endowed  him,  appears 
to  have  presented  itself  now  for  the  first  time.  Hitherto 
his  mind  had  been  lying  almost  fallow.  He  perceived 
now  the  inestimable  value  of  those  talents  entrusted  to 
him  ;  and  he  resolved,  as  far  as  in  him  lay,  to  "  redeem 
the  time," — to  be  "  watchful,  and  strengthen  those  things 
that  remained,  that  were  rcadv  to  fall." 

The  want  of  sympathy  among  brother  officers  before 
spoken  of,  is,  of  course,  intended  to  apply  in  general 


T 


48 


CHANGED  HABITS. 


tenns  to  the  majority  of  Maxy  Hammond's  companions. 
His  position  in  the  Eifle  Brigad  i  at  thi«  time  was  indeed 
one  for  which  he  had  abundant  cat  se  for  gratitude.  There 
were  certainly  not  less  than  four  or  fire  officers,  who,  both 
in  profession  and  practice,  gave  evidence  that  the  love -of 
God  was  uppermost  in  their  hearts ;  no  small  proportion 
in  one  regiment,  at  a  time  when  the  religious  tone  of  the 
army  was  very  much  lower  than  we  have  reason  to  believe 
it  is,  by  God's  grace,  at  present.  We  should  be  doing  a 
grave  injustice  to  the  memory  of  a  good  and  Christian 
man,  now  no  more,  if  we  omitted  to  state  that  in  Colonel 
I  *  *  *,  at  that  time  in  command  of  the  battalion, 
Maxy  Hammond,  and  others  similarly  circumstanced  with 
him,  found  a  most  kind  and  important  support.  Some 
extracts  from  a  letter  of  Colonel  I  *  *  *'s  will  also  shew 
that  the  change  which  Maxy  Hammond  had  undergone, 
had  in  no  ways  the  effect  of  deteriorating  his  colonel's 
former  opinion  of  him.  In  speaking  of  him  to  his  father, 
Colonel  I  #  #  *  says :  "  I  am  sensible  of  the  advantage 
and  satisfaction  derived  from  his  presence  with  the  corps. 
Now  that  I  have  known  him  and  had  experience  of  him 
some  years,  I  think  it  due  to  you  as  well  as  to  him  to  ex- 
press my  opinion  of  him;  more  especially  as  I  am  given  to 
understand  that  certain  reports  are  in  circulation  respect- 
ing the  religious  opinions  of  some  of  my  officers.  Appre- 
hensive that  these  may  reach  you,  I  desire  to  state  how  he 
stands  in  that  respect  Some  of  my  officers  have  been 
reputed  to  hold  extreme  opinions,  and  to  exercise  a  corres- 
ponding extravagance  of  conduct  in  regard  to  religion. 
There  are  no  grounds  for  any  such  imputation  upon  any 
member  of  the  corps.     I  am  anxious,  for  your  son's  sake. 


LETTER  FROM  COLO>^EL  I   #    *    *. 


49 


to  assure  you  that  he  is  free  from  anything  of  that  kind. 
I  have  some  knowledge  of  his  mind ;  and  I  believe  him  to 
be  actuated  by  just  notions  of  religion,  in  strict  accordance 
with  the  doctrines  and  teaching  of  the  Established  Church ; 
and  in  all  respects  doing  his  best  endeavour  (to  use  the 
words  of  our  old  catechism)  to  do  his  duty  in  that  state  of 
life  to  which  it  has  pleased  God  to  call  him.  That  he  has . 
become  more  devoutly  disposed  of  late  than  formerly,  is 
most  true;  and  casual  observers  may  have  drawn  wrong 
inferences  from  the  fact.  But  I  rejoice,  as  he  himself 
does,  in  the  establishment  within  him  of  a  sound  principle 

of  mental  and  active  life There  are  people  who 

^nt  describe  him,  as  they  would  other  men,  who  desire 
to  live  soberly,  righteously,  and  godly  in  this  present 
world,  otherwise  than  they  are ;  but  there  can  be  no  mis- 
take in  the  family  of  a  young  officer,  who  in  all  points 
shews  himself  to  be  neither  more  nor  less  than  what  a 
Christian  gentleman  must  needs  be,  who  has  any  claim  to 
the  name." 

With  some  anxiety  Maxy  Hammond  had  waited  for  an 
answer  to  the  letter  which  aimounced  to  his  family  the 
change  that  had  taken  place  in  him.  He  writes  again  to 
his  father : — 

"  February  I,  \84i5. 

"  I  sincerely  thank  you  for  all  your  kind  letters  which 
I  received  by  the  last  mail.  The  sympathy  and  encourage- 
ment from  all,  were  the  source  of  the  greatest  joy  and 
happiness  to  me,  and  I  feel  most  grateful.  Your  kind 
advice  as  to  propriety  of  conduct,  and  the  necessity  of 
avoiding  everything  which  might  offend  or  disgust  my 

D 


% 


CHANGED  HABITS* 

brother  officers,  is  most  thankfully  received.  I  entirely 
agree  with  you  on  this  subject.  Nothing  would  pain  mo 
more  than  by  injudicious  conduct  to  give  cause  of  offence 
or  to  make  anything  like  a  party  feeling  in  the  regiment. 
Nobody  can  feel  more  than  I  do  the  propriety  of  an  unos- 
tentatious religion ;  particularly  when  I  am  such  a  begin- 
ner in  these  things.  At  the  same  time  I  feel  that  my  con- 
fession of  Christ  should  be  decided.  I  have  desired  to 
make  no  profession;  but  still  it  is  well  known  in  the 
regiment  that  I  am  striving  to  serve  God  ;  and  therefore 
every  inconsistency  is,  and  will  be,  remarked  upon.  Our 
readings  together  have  been  a  blessing  to  me,  and  were, 
moreover,  the  means  by  which  God  first  shewed  me  the 
state  of  my  heart.  I  should  be  very  unwilling  to  give 
them  up,  and  I  cannot  help  thinking  that  if  we  search  the 
Scriptures  in  a  humble,  teachable  disposition,  we  shall  have 
God's  blessing  with  us.  We  are  all  agreed  that  these  things 
cannot  be  done  too  quietly." 

In  the  beginning  of  May  he  gets  leave  for  a  short  tour 
through  some  of  the  States,  in  company  with  a  brother 
officer.  Describing  this  trip  in  a  letter  dated  June  12, 
1845,  he  says: — 

"  The  Cambria  arrived  a  day  sooner  than  I  expected. 
I  had  only  half  packed  up ;  and  had  a  great  many  things 
to  settle,  and  barely  succeeded  in  getting  ready  before  she 
was  off.  In  small  matters,  as  well  as  in  great,  it  is  danger- 
ous to  put  off  anything  to  the  last.  We  left  Halifax  on 
the  1st  of  May.  «  «  #  was  my  fellow-traveller,  and  we 
shared  a  cabin  between  us.  We  passed  our  Sunday  very 
comfortably,  the  captain  reading  morning  service,  and  an 


TOUR  THROUGH  THE  STATES — BOSTON. 


51 


excellent  sermon  of  Slant's.  We  made  the  land  in  the 
afternoon,  and  made  fast  to  the  wharf  at  Boston  at  nine 
P.M.,  having  made  the  run  of  four  hundred  miles  in  thirty- 
three  hours.  Boston  is  a  fine  town,  quite  Englitih ;  I  sup- 
pose about  the  size  of  Bristol  I  could  hardly  fancy  my- 
self in  a  foreign  country,  but  for  the  peculiar  dress,  long 
hair,  and  beards  of  the  people.  The  hotels  are  all  on  the 
French  systenL  We  brought  with  us  several  letters  of 
introduction  for  different  places,  one  of  which  produced 
an  invitation  to  tea  from  a  Mr  •  •  •,  one  of  the  most  in- 
fluential men  in  Boston ;  nothing  can  equal  the  cordiality 
and  friendship  with  which  they  received  us;  we  found  them 
particularly  nice  people.  In  this  country  there  are  no 
dinner-parties,  and  they  meet  in  this  sociable  way  at  tea; 
breaking  up  at  ten  o'clock,  which  I  think  a  very  agreeable 
and  sensible  custom.  I  have  not  room  to  describe  all  we 
saw,  so  must  be  as  brief  as  possible.  The  burying-ground, 
Mount  Auburn,  is  a  very  pretty  spot;  perfectly  natural, 
full  of  fine  trees,  and  intersected  with  drives  and  walks; 
with  tombs  and  monuments  in  all  directions,  for  the  most 
part  quite  plain  and  simple.  The  dockyard  is  small;  we 
saw  there  a  large  steam-frigate  mounting  twenty-two  guns, 
and  a  line-of-battle  ship  building.  We  went  to  see  the 
Bunker's  Hill  Monument,  a  fine  granite  obelisk  220  feet 
high,  with  a  good  view  of  the  town  from  the  top.  The 
State  prison  was  well  worth  seeing,  the  cells  very  clean, 
all  the  prisoners  employed  at  different  trades,  as  shoe- 
makers, blacksmiths,  weavers,  up^  olsterers,  &c.,  each  de- 
partment having  its  separate  building;  they  are  not  allowed 
to  speak  to  one  another;  each  has  his  own  cell,  where  he 
takes  his  meals  and  sleeps.    The  thermometer  that  day 


52 


CHANGED  HABITS. 


was  89" ;  rather  sultry.  We  stayed  at  Boston  two  days, 
and  went  on  to  New  York,  where;  we  arrived  on  the  4th 
of  June,  and  put  up  at  an  immense  hotel,  where  we  sat 
down  about  one  hundred  and  forty  to  dinner.  New  York 
is  quite  a  different  description  of  city  from  Boston,  larger 
and  more  bustling.  Here  you  see  something  more  of 
the  real  Yankees,  of  whom  I  must  give  a  short  descrip- 
tion. To  begin  with  their  good  qualities.  They  are  very 
civil  to  strangers,  for  the  most  part  well  informed,  good 
men  of  business,  and  a  remarkably  energetic  and  enter- 
prising set.  I  believe  them  to  have  been  much  wronged 
and  misrepresented  by  authors,  from  a  national  prejudice 
that  we  'Britishers^  should  not  cordescend  to.  I  am 
sure  it  makes  the  whole  difference  tvhether  a  person  ctarts 
to  travel  with  a  determination  to  criticise,  and  be  disgusted 
with  their  peculiarities  and  oddities ;  or  whether,  with  a 
more  charitable  feeling,  he  goes  determined  to  be  pleased 
and  to  '  be  to  their  faults  a  little  blind.'  Although  I  must 
confess  I  often  find  myself  much  disposed  to  judge  by 
comparison,  I  am  inclined  to  wish  to  see  the  best  side  of 
the  picture,  and  to  leave  the  rest  to  wiser  and  more  expe- 
rienced heads  to  determine.  In  conversation  the  Yank*ees 
are  very  cool  and  free,  using  many  extraordinary  expres- 
sions, which  amuse  me  much.  This  freedom  is  not  meant 
impertinently,  though  it  might  appear  so  to  a  stranger. 
One  must  always  recollect  that  it  is  a  free  country,  where 
every  one  thinks  as  much  of  himself  as  his  neighbour,  and 
therefore  you  are  seldom  'Sir'd/  or  spoken  to  otherwise 
than  as  an  equal.  The  fact  of  being  a  British  officer  is  a 
passport  that  secures  the  national  civility  at  all  the  public 
institutions,  and  indeed  everywhere.     Some  of  the  notices 


V 


AMEUIUAN  PKt'ULIAKlTlEii. 


ua 


and  signs  amused  mc  much ;  such  as  on  tho  railway,  '  Look 
out  for  the  locomotive  1 '  and  over  a  shop,  '  Society  for  the 
encouragement  of  wearing  clean  ?*hirts!'  New  York  is 
not  to  be  compared  with  London  as  a  city,  and  very  dirty, 
there  being  no  sewers  to  carry  oflf  the  dirt;  so  that  in 
front  of  the  best  hotels  everything  is  thrown  into  the 
street,  the  pigs  being  the  only  scavengers.  We  went  over 
a  first-rate  line-of-battle  ship  of  ninety-two  guns,  forty- 
two  pounders ;  not  to  be  compared  with  our  own  men-of- 
war  in  point  of  neatness  and  cleanliness,  though  a  very 
fine  ship.  The  armoury  was  composed  of  muskets  '  taken 
from  the  English.'  Very  unlike  the  armoury  on  board 
the  Inconstant.  After  viewing  some  more  of  the  lion>i 
here,  we  went  on  to  Philadelphia,  where  we  arrived  on  the 
7th,  and  put  up  at  a  remarkably  clean  and  quiet  little 
hotel,  with  not  more  than  a  dozen  people  in  the  house. 
We  were  much  pleased  with  this  town,  from  its  quiet  and 
cleanliness ;  and  the  trees  in  all  the  str'^ets  are  some  shelter 
from  the  burning  heat.  While  we  were  there  the  ther- 
mometer was  96"  in  the  shade;  and  indoors,  in  the  coolest 
passage,  at  93".  The  most  intolerable  part  of  the  heat  is 
that  the  nights  are  as  hot  as  the  days;  so  that,  in  tho 
morning,  after  having  laid  on  the  outside  of  the  bed  all 
night,  you  awake  as  little  refreshed  as  if  you  had  "^over 
been  in  bed  at  all.  Here  W3  spent  our  second  Su-day, 
and  were  fortunate  enou^L  to  hear  a  sound,  faithful  ser- 
mon. Their  liturgy  is  the  same  as  ours,  with  ti\e  excep- 
tion of  some  little  alterations  and  omissions.  The  Lord's 
Prayer  is  omitted  once  or  twice.  The  singing  was  good : 
the  iDsalms  of  a  different  version  from  ours.  The  Sabbath 
appeared  to  be  well  observed.     We  went  on  to  Baltimore, 


m 


CHANGED  HABITS. 


and  thence  to  Washington,  the  capital  and  seat  of  govern- 
ment; well  worth  seeing.  We  returned  to  Philadelphia, 
having  been  fairly  driven  out  by  the  heat — 98"  in  the  shade 
— and  saw  the  State  prison  Dickens  spoke  so  much  of. 
The  plan  is  very  good,  aU  the  passages  radiating  from  the 
centre,  so  that  one  keeper  could  have  his  eye  on  the  whole 
at  once;  all  solitary  confinement,  of  different  periods,  up 
to  twenty-one  years.  And  here  we  are  back  at  New  York, 
expecting  to  go  up  the  Hudson  to-morrow  to  visit  the 
Royal  Military  College  of  the  United  States,  and  thence 
to  work  on  to  Niagara,  Canada,  &a" 

"Niagara  Falls,  2M  JiATiA 

"We  left  New  York  on  the  14th  and  started  for  West 
Point,  where  is  the  Military  Academy.  We  had  letters  to 
two  of  the  officers  of  the  establishment,  who  devoted  them- 
selves to  us ;  shewing  us  and  explaining  everything  with 
the  utmost  kindness.  From  having  been  ourselves  at 
Sandh'irst  we  found  this  very  interesting;  and  it  so  hap- 
peneu,  that  wt  arrived  at  a  very  lucky  time,  during  the 
examinations,  when  all  the  bigwigs,  commander-in-chief, 
&c. ,  were  there.  We  heard  some  of  the  examinations,  which 
were  remarkably  good,  and  made  those  of  Sandhurst  appear 
very  insignificant.  There  are  about  280  cadets,  formed 
into  a  regular  battalion,  with  captain,  subalterns,  sergeants, 
and  staff,  found  by  the  cadets.  They  have,  besides,  a  com- 
mandant, and  a  commissioned-officer  over  each  company. 
We  were  treated  like  generals.  The  commandant  called  on 
us,  drove  us  to  see  the  parade,  and  we  were  invited  to  in- 
spect the  battalion.  None  are  admitted  under  sixteen ;  so 
that,  on  the  whole,  they  are  a  really  fine-looking  regiment 


TOUR  THROUGH  THE  STA'JES — WEST  POINT,  NIAGARA,    5o 

Their  dress  is  a  French  gray  bobtailed  coat,  cotton  belts, 
caps  like  our  new  ones,  and  white  trousers.     They  look 
very  well  in  a  body,  though  very  bad  singly.     They  are 
worked  hard,  having  only  two  months'  vacation  out  of 
the  four  years  they  are  there;  except  two  months  when 
they  are  encamped  in  summer,  and  practise  nothing  but 
military  duties.   Unlike  our  colleges,  they  pay  nothing ;  but 
are  paid  by  government  enough  to  find  them  in  everything 
while  til' y  are  there,  and  to  have  an  overplus  sufficient 
to  pay  for  their  outfit  after  they  leave.     West  Point  was 
Washington's  greatest  stronghold  during  the  rebellion,  by 
which  he  completely  prevented  any  junction  of  the  British 
between  New  York  and  Canada,  and  where  he  always 
found  his  winter  quarters.     It  is  therefore  a  place  of  which 
the  Yankees  are  not  a  little  proud.     We  went  on  by  Al- 
bany, Utica,  Auburn,  Rochester,  and  Buffalo  to  this  place, 
where  we  arrived  on  the  20th.     It  is  quite  useless  my  at- 
tempthig  to  describe  Niagara.     I  have  hardly  yet  collected 
my  senses.    It  is  divided  into  two  falls,  the  American  and 
the  Horse -shoe,  with  an  island  between.     Their  height, 
which  is  about  1 60  feet,  is  not  so  striking  as  the  immense 
body  of  water  which  unceasingly  tumbles  over.     To  give 
you  an  idea  of  the  weight  of  the  falling  water,  the  room 
where  I  am  now  sitting  is  shaking  like  the  vibration  of  a 
steamer.     Yesterday  we  went  through  the  ordeal  of  going 
under  the  great  sheet,  which  nothing  but  the  foolish  curio- 
sity of  the  English  would  ever  tempt  one  to  undertake. 
On  arriving  close  to  the  Fall,  there  is  such  a  rush  of  wind 
and  water  as  almost  to  knock  you  down;  however,  by 
keeping  your  head  down,  and  going  boldly  on,  you  soon 
get  through  the  worst  part,  and  find  yourself  230  feet 


56 


CHANGED  HABITS. 


underneath.  Our  sable  guide  stripped  us  of  everything 
except  a  flannel  shiit,  and  we  enjoyed  the  shower  bath 
uncommonly;  and  that  is  about  all  that  you  get  by  going 
under.  The  deep  emerald  colour  in  the  centre  of  the 
Horse-shoe  Fall,  occasioned  by  the  depth  of  the  body  of 
water,  is  unlike  anything  else  in  the  world.  We  could  not 
help  longing  that  our  Transatlantic  friends  could  have 
seen  them.  I  am  very  much  pleased  with  the  tour;  but  I 
also  feel  what  a  blessing  were  the  various  opportunities 
and  privileges  of  which  I  am  now  deprived.  But  this 
is  a  good  lesson,  to  teach  us  how  we  should  value  those 
things  while  we  possess  them ;  and  also  that  we  must 
not  lean  upon  outward  ordinances,  but  that  our  sole 
trust  must  be  in  Him  alone  who  is  able  to  keep  us  from 
falling.  There  are  many  temptations  in  travelling  which 
are  apt  to  lead  us  to  be  too  much  occupied  with  the 
things  of  this  world,  and  so  forget  God.  I  need  all  your 
prayers  as  well  as  my  own.  ...  I  am  often  filled 
with  doubts  and  fears,  but  I  am  convinced  they  are  tempta- 
tions of  the  devil,  and  the  remaining  unbelief  in  my  heart. 
May  the  Lord  grant  that,  in  the  day  when  He  shall  'make 
up  His  jewels,'  we  may  be  found  looking  and  leaning  on 
Jesus  as  our  only  hope ! — Ever  your  affectionate  son, 

"  M.  M.  H." 


Few  persons  will  have  read  this  letter  without  being 
struck,  no  less  with  the  holy  Cliristian  spirit  of  charity, 
than  with  the  wisdom  which  characterises  the  comments 
upon  the  American  people  and  their  social  peculiarities. 
The  writer  of  the  letter  was  scarcely  twenty,  and  his  spi- 
ritual life  was  of  hardly  a  year's  growth.    Yet  is  not  this 


■■  w*:^i' \f^   'ni'^'':^-F' 


\ 


SPIlilT  OF  CHARITY. 


the  fulfilling  ol  that  law  of  love  which  worketh  no  ill  to 
his  neighbour?  Is  not  this  i indeed  an  evidence  of  that  spirit 
of  wisdom  which  "  sheweth  out  of  a  good  conversation  his 
works  with  meekness  of  wisdom" — ^the  wisdom  that  is 
from  above — "pure,  peaceable,  and  gentle,  without  par- 
tiality and  without  hypocrisy?" 

On  his  return  from  this  expedition,  Maxy  Hammond 
writes  again  to  his  youngest  brother,  at  that  time  an 
Eton  boy,  a  letter  remembered  and  treasured  by  him  as 
one  of  especial  interest — as  the  first  affectionate  encou- 
ragement from  Maxy  to  consecrate  to  his  Creator  the 
days  of  his  youth.  Full  of  affection  indeed  he  always 
was  to  all  his  family.  But  now  a  new  spring  of  love 
welled  from  his  heart.  The  warmth  of  his  love  towards 
his  father  and  mother  daily  increased,  and,  having  tasted 
of  the  heavenly  gift,  he  anxiously  longed  that  each  one  of 
his  family  should  be  partakers  with  himself.  In  after 
years  this  wish  was  strongly  expressed  by  him.  He  said, 
that  so  great  was  his  faith  in  prayer,  that  he  felt  persuaded 
that  all  his  family  would  at  last  be  brought  to  the  saving 
knowledge  of  Jesus.  This  early  letter  was  the  first  over- 
ture, the  first  exercise  of  that  tender  care  with  which  he 
watched  over  his  young  brother's  years — a  care  which  was 
not  bestowed  in  vain. 


"  Halifax,  August  17,  1845. 

"I  don't  know  whether  you  will  have  gone  back  to 
!Eton  or  not  before  this  reaches  you.  I  am  looking  out 
for  the  packet  to  hear  all  about  your  doings  at  home 
during  the  cricket-week.  Of  course,  you,  as  an  Etonian, 
are  by  this  time  a  crack  player.     How  does  the  pulling 


58 


CHANGED  HABITS. 


get  on  ?  We  have  nothing  like  your  skiffs  here,  but  if 
we  had,  they  could  only  be  used  in  a  dead  calm.  Sailing 
is  the  thing,  and  that  we  have  to  perfection.  «  «  «  « 
(who,  by  the  by,  is  an  Eton  man)  has  just  built  a  good- 
sized  cutter,  about  thirty- two  tons,  in  which  he  has  just 
gone  to  Cape  Breton.  The  distance  is  about  200  miles,  and 
as  she  has  double  the  canvas  that  a  boat  ought  to  have  for 
sea-going,  I  should  be  sorry  to  be  caught  in  a  gale  in  her. 
Yachting  is  rather  an  expensive  hobby.  This  boat  will 
cost  him  little  less  than  X^GOO,  which,  for  the  few  months 
of  summer,  is  decidedly  dear.  Our  moose-hunting  is  just 
coming  on,  but  1  don't  intend  to  go  out  this  year.  It 
takes  up  too  much  time,  and  the  novelty  of  the  semi- 
savage  life  has  worn  away.  I  look  forward  with  much 
pleasure  to  going  home.  Three  years  is  a  long  time  to  be 
separated  from  one's  relations,  and  yet  it  has  passed  won- 
derfully quick,  and  I  may  say  very  happily,  especially 
the  last  part  of  it.  Depend  upon  it,  dear  H  •  #  *,  that 
a  man  can  never  be  truly  happy  mitil  he  has  found  a 
higher  object  to  live  for  than  what  the  world  affords.  I 
used  to  think  myself  quite  happy,  and  so  I  was.  But 
where  woidd  it  all  have  been,  if  I  had  been  deprived  of 
health,  and  had  been  unable  to  enjoy  the  things  that  con- 
stituted that  happiness?  No;  if  we  wish  to  find  that 
^oeace  which  the  world  can  neither  give  nor  take  away,  we 
must  live  to  Him  who  died  for  our  sins;  for  then  only 
can  we  find  what  real  happiness  and  a  clear  conscience  is. 
And  surely  we  are  never  too  young  to  begin  a  good  work, 
though  if  we  put  it  off,  we  may  lose  it  for  ever.  Just 
look  at  Eccles.  xi.  9, 10,  and  xil  1,  13,  14;  and  read  what 
Christ  said,  Matt.  xi.  28,  29,  30.     Forgive  this  sermon. 


I 


ADVICE  TO  A  YOUNG  BKOTHER. 


69 


I  have  said  so  mucli  to  you  because  I  love  you,  and  would 
dp  to  you  as  I  would  be  done  by.  And  now,  my  dear 
H  *  «  *,  good  bye. — ^Your  affectionate  brother, 

"  M.  M.  H." 


The  next  letter  is  to  a  brother  who  was  just  at  that 
time  preparing  for  the  ministry: — 

"  Halifax,  August  18,  1845. 

"I  want  to  know  your  plans  this  autumn;  whether  you 
are  going  to  C  *  «  *'s;  when,  and  for  how  long;  and  also 
when  you  are  to  be  ordained.  I  remember  making  an 
agreement  with  you,  that  I  would  go  and  hear  your  first 
sermon.  I  still  have  some  hopes  of  doing  so,  and,  if  all 
goes  well,  I  should  like  very  much  to  confirm  it  Wherever 
you  are,  I  hope  you  will  be  well  out  of  the  range  of 
Puseyism,  which  seems  spreading  everywhere  in  England, 
and  has  even  reached  this  country.  In  Canada,  I  heard  a 
sad  specimen,  and  was  horrified  at  finding  what  Puseyism 
really  is. 

"  Yesterday  being  the  12th  of  August,  reminded  me  of 
W  *  •  *,  who  said  he  was  going  up  to  Scotland  for 
gTouse.  My  sporting  consists  in  about  five  hours'  target 
practice  two  or  three  times  a-week,  which,  though  the 
game  is  always  in  sight,  is  rather  tedious.     .    .     .    Just 

before  my  return,  a  young  officer  of  the was  taken 

suddenly  ill,  and  died  after  a  few  hours  of  fever  and 
delirium.  I  don't  think  I  ever  mentioned  to  you  the  death 
of  Mi's  F  #  *  *,  who  also  died  at  a  moment's  notice  at 
the  hotel,  just  before  I  went  to  the  States;  and  the  other 
day  two  poor  men  broke  into  the  cabin  of  the  Mary, 


I 


60 


CHANGED  HABITS. 


drank  some  wine,  and  were  capsized  in  a  skiff  afterwards, 
and  drowned.  Do  not  these  seem  to  be  solemn  warnings 
to  us  ?  and  yet  all  have  passed  by  unheeded.  They  call 
religion  madness  and  enthusiasQ:i;.but  what  can  be  greater 
madness  and  enthusiasm  than  to  be  devoting  one's  life  to 
the  affairs  of  this  world?  And  yet,  how  carelessly  we  all 
live,  while  we  are  in  health  and  strength,  and  enjoying  all 
the  luxuries  and  comforts  of  life !  I  wish  I  could  say, '  To 
live  is  Christ,  to  die  is  gain;'  but  I  feel  so  much  cur 
blessed  Lord's  injunction,  *  Watch  and  pray,  for  ye  know 
not  when  the  time  is.'  We  are  told  to  exhort  one  another, 
and  to  pray  for  one  another.  I  should  be  very  thankful 
if  you  would  urge,  advise,  and  instruct  me,  as  I  value  and 
enjoy  it  nc  ich;  and  I  wish  you  all  to  pray  for  me.  I  am 
very  weak  and  sinful,  and  need  all  your  prayers." 


''q^^^-^-:^- 


DOCTKINAL  VIEWa 


61 


CHAPTER  V. 

"  Be  ready  always  to  give  an  answer  to  every  man  that  asketh  you  a  reason 

of  the  hope  that  is  in  yon." — 1  Pet.  iii.  15. 
"  Prove  all  things:  hold  fast  that  which  is  good." — 1  Thess.  v.  21. 
*'  Beware  lest  any  man  spoil  you  through  philosophy  and  vain  deceit." — 

Coi.  u.  8. 

There  is  in  the  letter  which  closes  the  last  chapter,  an 
expression  regarding  the  doctrinal  teaching  of  a  large  sec- 
tion of  our  Church,  .which  appears  to  afford  a  very  natural 
opening  for  some  remarks  on  the  individual  views  and 
opinions  of  the  subject  of  this  memoir. 

Perhaps  there  is  no  more  diflficult  task,  in  these  times 
of  party  spirit  and  unhappy  differences  in  the  Church  of 
Christ,  than  to  define  the  peculiar  views  of  any  person  in 
such  a  way  as  that,  in  their  large  and  general  scope,  as 
well  as  in  their  practical  bearing,  they  should  be  fairly 
stated,  and  run  no  risk  of  misconstruction.  At  the  same 
time,  if  they  were  represented  solely  by  such  passages, 
more  or  less  isolated,  as  occur  in  a  veiy  limited  selection 
of  his  letters,  there  would  indeed  be  no  little  danger  that 
false  conclusions  might  be  drawn. 

The  compiler  of  this  sketch  approaches,  therefore,  this 
portion  of  his  subject  not  without  much  diffidence,  yet 


I 


DUCTUINAL   VIEW.:;. 

with  ail  earnest  desire,  as  far  as  in  him  lies,  to  exhibit 
his  subject  with  an  impartial  honesty  of  purpose.  A 
friend,  before  quoted,  has  attributed  Maxy  Hammond's 
catholicity  of  spirit,  and  the  clearness  of  his  spiritual 
views,  to  his  learning  his  first  lessons  directly  from  the 
Scriptures,  uMassed  hy  any  ecclesiastical  system;  with 
singleness  of  purpose  seeking  for  the  truth.  His  views, 
founded  upon  Holy  Scripture,  earnestly  searched,  and 
doubtless  blessed  by  the  teaching  and  guidance  of  that 
Holy  Spirit  which  is  given  to  him  that  asketh,  were 
clear,  fixed,  and  decided.  They  might  be  almost  em- 
bodied in  these  texts:  "By  grace  are  ye  saved  through 
faith,  and  that  not  of  yourselves,  it  is  the  gift  of  God,  not 
of  works,  lest  any  man  should  boast ; "  and,  *'  Faith,  if  it 
hath  not  works,  is  dead,  being  alone.'*  His  views  on 
baptismal  regeneration  are  thus  stated  by  himself,  in  a 
short  commentary  on  the  Romans  (chap,  il  25),  written  m 
August  1854,  and  probably  were  adopted  at  the  very 
commencement  of  his  religious  life : — "  The  outward  ordi- 
nance of  circumcision  was  a  sign  of  the  inward  cleansmg 
which  must  be  wrought  in  the  heart,  and  it  was  a  visible 
seal  of  God's  covenant  of  mercy  with  His  believing  people. 
Like  baptism,  the  outward  rite,  unless  accompanied  with 
inward  grace,  was  in  itself  nothing  beyond  the  mere  ad- 
mittance of  a  person  into  the  visible  Church  of  God.  But 
circumcision  (and,  in  like  manner,  baptism)  was  indeed 
profitable,  when  those  who  had  received  it  were  enabled 
])y  grace  to  keep  the  law,  and  to  walk  by  faith  in,  and  in 
tlie  fear  of,  God.  There  was  a  tendency  in  the  days  when 
the  apostles  wrote,  as  there  is  now,  to  rest  in  the  outward 
ceremonies  rather  than  in  the  spiritual  things  they  are 


BAPTISM. 


63 


intended  to  signify  and  convey."  Again,  on  Bom.  il  28,  29, 
"He  is  not  a  Jew,  which  is  one  outwardly,"  he  writes: 
*'  There  have  ever  been  two  distinct  classes  in  the  Church 
of  God — those  who  serve  Him  in  spirit  and  in  truth,  and 
those  who  only  call  themselves  by  His  name,  but  who 
have  never  yielded  to  Him  their  hearts.  The  tares  and 
the  wheat  must  grow  together  until  the  harvest,  and  it 
may  be  difficult  to  distinguish  the  one  from  the  other 
when  both  profess  the  same  faith,  and  both  conform  to 
the  same  outward  observances  of  religion.  But  a  time  is 
coming  when  a  separation  will  take  place,  and  then  the 
distinction  will  be  clearly  and  eternally  made  'between 
him  that  serveth  God  and  him  that  seryeth  Him  not* 
(Mai.  iii  18).  It  is  of  the  highest  importance  to  discern 
between  the  outward  and  inward  parts  of  religion.  Many 
satisfy  their  consciences  with  the  outward  form,  and,  not 
being  bom  again,  they  come  short  of  the  kingdom  of 
heaven.  Applying  these  words  to  professing  Christians, 
we  may  read — *  He  is  not  a  Christian,  who  is  one  out- 
wardly; ither  is  that  baptism,  which  is  outward  in  the 
flesh :  but  he  is  a  Christian,  who  is  one  inwardly ;  and  bap- 
tism is  that  of  the  heart,  in  the  spirit,  and  not  in  the 
letter;  whose  praise  is  not  of  men,  but  of  God.' " 

Holding  these  opinions,  Maxy  Hammond  regarded  with 
some  apprehension,  and  with  the  strongest  disapproba- 
tion, the  system  and  tenets  of  the  Tractarian  party;  and, 
in  the  sphere  of  his  own  humble  duties,  he  endeavoured, 
as  far  as  possible,  to  exclude  and  discountenance  any  such 
influences.  In  a  letter  written  two  years  later,  he  again 
comments  on  the  doctrines  brought  forward  by  the  Trac- 
tarians  as,  in  his  opinion,  pregnant  with  danger.     In  allu- 


64 


DOCTRINAL  VIEWS. 


sion  to  his  youngest  brother's  approaching  entrance  at 
the  Universii^y  of  Oxford,  he  says — "  I  long  to  hear  of 
H  •  *  *'s  getting  settled  at  Merton,  and  hope  he  will 
write  soon.  The  trials  and  temptations  of  a  college  life 
are  greater  than  in  a  regiment;  but  I  trust  he  will  be 
preserved  from  the  worldliness  and  ungodliness  to  which 
he  will  be  exposed.  Nothing  but  a  sense  of  the  danger, 
and  one's  own  utter  weakness,  with  a  continual  looking 
up  to  Christ,  can  enable  one  to  hold  on  in  the  narrow 
way.  The  Traetarian  teaching  is  another  most  serious 
danger,  particularly  to  one  of  so  open  and  humble  a  dis- 
position as  H  »  «  «;  but,  with  the  Bible  for  his  guide, 
I  trust  he  may  be  preserved  from  imbibing  any  of  their 
erroneous  doctrines.  These  are  days  in  which  there  is 
great  need  of  proving  all  things  by  the  only  test  of  truth, 
as  well  in  what  we  hear  as  in  what  we  read ;  for,  alas ! 
many  deceivers  are  entered  into  the  world  who  abide  not 
in  the  doctrine  of  Christ" 

A  friend,  in  a  letter  after  his  death,  says — "  As  to  his 
views,  he  strongly  sympathised  with  those  in  our  Church 
who  hold  Evangelical  sentiments;  and  censured  Tracta- 
rianism  as  a  system  which  placed  the  sacraments  between 
the  sinner  and  Christ,  hiding  Him  from  view;  and  as  in- 
culcating essentially  Romanist  doctrines,  and  a  religion  of 
mere  forru  and  ceremony,  instead  of  the  pure  and  simple 
doctrines  of  the  gospel,  and  the  service  of  the  heart  and 
affections  required  of  God." 

But,  although  an  avowed  opponent  of  that  party  and 
their  doctrines — ^if,  indeed,  such  a  term  can  be  applied  to 
one  of  his  gentle  and  humble  disposition — ^he  was  ever 
rea'ly  to  hold  out  the  hand  of  fellowship  to  all  indivi- 


i  / 


CATHOLICITY. 


C5 


dually  who  loved  the  Lord  Jesus  in  sincerity  and  truth. 
Begarding  in  this  light  members  of  all  parties  in  the 
Church  of  England,  as  well  as  those  who  dissented  from 
her  communion,  he  received  them  as  all  baptized  by  one 
Spirit  into  one  body,  whether  Jews  or  Gentiles,  whether 
bond  or  free,  looking  with  a  comprehensive  love  to  the 
one  great  Church  of  Christ,  and  persuaded  that 

"  The  saints  on  earth  and  those  above 

But  one  communion  make ; 
Join'd  to  their  Lord  in  bands  of  love, 

All  of  His  grace  partake. 
One  army  of  the  living  God, 

To  His  command  they  bow; 
Part  of  the  just  have  cross'd  the  flood, 

And  part  are  crossing  now." 

In  this  spirit  he  co-operated  with  Dissenters  in  many 
societies — e.g.,  the  Mic  Mac  Society,  Halifax,  and  the 
Tract  Society,  British  and  Foreign  Bible  Society,  and 
City  Mission ;  and  he  was  favourable  to  the  Evangelical 
Alliance.  He  was  enabled  to  recognise  in  those  who  be- 
longed to  diflFerent  communions  from  himself,  that  they 
are  copartners  in  the  kingdom  of  God.  And  so  h  j  writes, 
three  years  afterwards,  from  Kingston,  in  reference  to 
Tractarian  doctrine :  "  Amid  the  mourning  over  so  many 
who  are  possibly  affected,  both  among  bishops  and  clergy, 
is  it  not  rejoicing  to  one's  heart  to  read  such  a  speech 
as  that  of  the  Primate  of  all  England  at  the  meeting  of 
the  Bible  Society  ?  It  is  indeed  matter  of  praise  that  the 
head  of  the  Church  of  England  should  boldly  stand  np 
for  the  truth,  and  not  be  aahamed  to  acknowledge  and 

IS 


i$  DOCTRINAL  VIEWS. 

co-operate  with  those  of  other  denominations  who  love 
the  Lord  Jesus,  and  seek  the  extension  of  His  kingdom. 
The  more  I  consider  the  matter,  the  more  I  feel  assured 
tliat  a  catholic  spirit  is  that  which  most  accords  with  the 
mind  and  spirit  of  Christ  and  His  Word."  But,  with 
this  large  and  catholic  spirit,  Maxy  Hammond  was  warmly 
attached  to  the  Church  of  England,  feeling  it  to  be  the 
purest  and  most  honoured  section  of  the  Church  of  Christ. 
He  felt  and  deeply  lamented  the  immense  evil  of  schism, 
and  did  all  in  his  power  to  promote  the  unity  of  the 
Spirit,  feeling,  with  the  poor  peasant  at  Stockholm,  "  that 
when  we  come  to  die,  all  our  theology  will  be  contained 
in  a  drop — a  drop  of  the  blood  shed  for  sinners." 

Of  the  unity  of  Christ's  Church,  Maxy  thus  writes,  in  a 
commentary  on  Eph.  iii  14!,  15: — 

"The  Church  of  Christ  forms  one  universal  family. 
The  Church  militant  and  the  Church  triumphant  are  alike 
members  of  the  same  family.  How  sweet  the  thoughts 
of  our  communion  with  the  whole  family  of  the  redeemed  I 
— ^all  drinking  from  the  same  living  foimtain — all  par- 
takers of  the  same  Saviour's  fulness — all  heirs  of  the 
same  eternal  glory.  Love  to  the  brethren  is  one  of  the 
badges  of  discipleship.  '  By  this  shall  all  men  know  that 
ye  are  my  disciples,  because  ye  have  love  one  to  another.' 
Again — '  We  know  that  we  have  passed  from  death  unto 
life,  because  we  love  the  brethren.'  I  humbly  trust  I  do 
feel  a  love  to  all  the  family  of  God,  without  reference  to 
sect  or  party.  I  believe  I  can  with  sincerity  wish  grace 
and  peace  to  all  who  love  the  Lord  Jesus.  The  fellow- 
ship of  those  belonging  to  my  own  communion  is  cer- 
tMnly  the  most  pleasing,  where  there  is  agreement  in  the 


>. 


i;.,S2iiiii!affllfc'taK*!«t«..«<i^-"™-*<j 


CONTROVERSY. 


07 


grace 
fellow- 
is  cer- 
in  the 


minor  points  as  well  as  in  the  essential  verities  of  religion. 
And  I  certainly  do  love  my  ojyn  Church,  and  prefer  it  to 
all  others,  because  I  think  it  is,  on  the  whole,  most  in 
accordance  with  my  own  views  of  the  purity  and  simpli- 
city of  the  truth  of  God  in  Christ.  But  at  the  same  time 
I  can  heartily  join  hand  in  hand  with  any  brother  who, 
though  differing  in  externals,  is  one  with  me  in  faith. 
Alas  !  how  sad  that  the  family  of  Jesus  should  be  so  dis- 
united— that  there  should  be  such  heartburnings — such 
iissensions — such  unhallowed  and  unholy  emulations — 
such  a  spirit  of  controversy — such  an  absence  of  charity ! 
Oh,  Spirit  of  love !  let  my  spirit  and  principle  be  based 
upon  the  holy  law  of  love  laid  down  in  Thy  Word;  let 
1  Cor.  xiii.  be  my  constant  rule  and  guide;  and  grant, 
0  Lord,  that  all  bitterness  and  jealousy  may  be  removed 
from  Thy  Church,  that  each  may  esteem  his  brother  better 
than  himself,  and,  '  forbearing  one  another  in  love/  may 
grow  up  unto  Christ  in  all  things." 

He  was  indeed  very  much  opposed  to  anything  like 
religious  controversy — it  was  wholly  at  variance  with  the 
spirit  he  strove  after.  "  Alas ! "  he  says,  in  one  of  his 
letters,  "  how  opposed  is  the  spirit  of  controversy  to  the 
meekness  and  gentleness  of  Christ !  This  is  the  spirit  we 
want  to  cultivate,  and  it  will  be  obtained  rather  by  drink- 
ing in  the  milk  of  the  Word,  than  from  the  heated  pages 
of  angry  discussion."  ....  Then  he  adds,  with  singular 
truth,  "  Satan  is  glad  to  take  men's  minds  off  the  vital 
points  of  religion,  and  to  give  us  the  husks  of  empty  dis- 
cussion in  their  place." 

Halifax  races  were  approaching,  and,  glad  to  escape 
from  an  atmosphere  so  little  congenial  to  his  present 


ivi 


es 


DOCTRINAL  VIEWS. 


i 


frame  of  mind,  he  plans  a  short  cruise  in  his  boat  tue 
Mary.  There  at  least,  avoiding  a  season  of  riot  and  noise 
which  his  soul  abhorred,  he  could  enjoy  an  opportunity  of 
happy  communion  with  Him  whose  "  way  is  on  the  sea, 
and  whose  path  is  in  the  great  waters."  Notwithstanding 
that  grievous  enemy,  sea-sickness,  who  ntver  failed  to 
exact  his  tribute,  Maxy's  love  for  the  sea  never  forsook 
him ;  and  we  can  fancy  him  lying  back  in  the  little  Mary 
— named  with  affectionate  fondness  after  one  of  his  family 
— ^watching,  as  the  breeze  freshened,  the  yeasty  foam  that 
gathered  under  her  gunv/ale,  as  she  ran  before  the  wind 
under  the  bights  and  bays  of  the  coast  of  Nova  Scotia. 

"September  2,  1845. — I  have  been  enjoying  myself  in 
a  short  cruise  in  the  Mary  during  the  races,  which  I  was 
delighted  to  escape.  We  went  to  St  Margaret's  Bay,  and 
into  Lunnenburg.  We  had  delightful  weather,  and  fair 
winds  followed  us  in  going  and  coming  back.  Of  course 
I  was  sick  the  first  day,  but  I  have  got  so  accustomed  to 
it,  that  I  don't  mind  it  in  the  least  now.  The  Bishop  of 
Massachusetts  has  been  here  (Halifax)  on  a  visit,  and  I 
never  met  a  more  delightful  person.  He  is  a  man  of 
great  ability  and  deep  piety,  which,  with  his  candid  and 
unaffected  manner,  delighted  everybody.*'  After  inquiring 
about  the  health  of  a  relation,  he  concludes:  "What  a 
blessed  consolation  it  is  to  know  that  whom  the  Lord 
loveth  He  chasten eth  !  Her  case  seems  to  be  a  wonderful 
instance  of  the  comfort  and  peace  of  mind  which  a  firm 
and  confident  trust  in  the  merits  of  a  Redeemer  alone 
can  give.  I  often  wonder  how  my  faith  would  stand  if 
tried  in  the  furnace  of  affliction.  It  is  so  easy  to  talk 
while  in  full  health  and  strength.     How  necessary  it  is 


PEACEFULNESS  OF  MIND. 


69 


-; 


at  the 
L  noise 
aity  of 
tie  sea, 
anding 
led  to 
'orsook 
Mary 
family 
,m  that 
le  wind 
3tia. 
^self  in 
1  I  was 
ay,  and 
md  fair 
course 
med  to 
shop  of 
and  I 
man  of 
lid  and 
quiring 
*Vhat  a 

Lord 
»nderful 
a  firm 

alone 
tand  if 
to  talk 
iry  it  is 


r 


for  him  *  that  thinketh  he  standeth,  to  take  heed  lest  he 
fall.' " 

Some  83:pressions  in  his  late  letters  seem  to  have  been 
misunderstood  by  some  of  his  friends  at  this  time;  and  he 
writes  to  his  father: — 

"Halifax,  Septemher  17, 1845. 

"  I  feel  very  sorry  that  I  should  have  said  anything  to 
produce  the  impression  that  I  am  labouring  under  de- 
spondency and  melancholy  of  feeling.  I  assure  you  that 
such  is  not  the  case;  as  I  can  truly  and  sincerely  say, 
that  since,  by  the  mercy  of  God,  I  have  been  brought  to 
think  seriously  on  these  matters,  I  have  never  felt  before 
such  happiness  and  peace  of  mind  as,  thank  God,  I  now 
enjoy.  I  doubt  not  I  have  been  unguarded  in  some  ex- 
pressions; and  perhaps  in  endeavouring  to  describe  the 
sinfulness  and  corruption  of  my  heart,  I  may  have  led 
you  to  suppose  that  my  mind  was  oppressed  with  gloom 
and  mistrust.  But  although  the  Lord  shews  me,  more 
and  more  every  day,  the  deceitfulness  and  desperate 
wickedness  of  my  heart,  it  produces  a  very  different  feeluig 
in  me  from  that  of  unhappiness ;  for  so  is  my  faith  in- 
creased, and  my  firm  and  joyful  hope  in  my  Redeemer 
strengthened  and  established :  and,  as  you  say,  the  gospel 
is  a  message  of  *  glad  tidings;'  and  the  '  fruit  of  the  Spirit 
is  joy  and  peace,'  such  as  '  the  world  can  neither  give  nor 
take  away;'  and  although  the  way  may  be  'strait'  and  the 
paths  rugged,  yet  '  its  ways  are  ways  of  pleasantness,  and 
all  its  paths  are  peace.'  S.»  tluit  for  religion  to  produce  a 
morbid  melancholy  s])irit  is  entirely  opposed  to  the  Word 
of  Christ.     The  An  of  our  hearts,  and  the  fatal  security  of 


■'i 


70 


DOCTBINAL  VIEWS. 


.  ^ 


SO  many  around  us,  must  produce  sorrow;  which  soon  is 
turned  into  joy,  when  we  think  of  what  Christ  has  done 
for  us  in  giving  us  eternal  life.  I  hope  ty  this  you  will 
perceive  that  I  am  not  a  mournful,  but,  I  trust,  under 
God's  blessing,  a  rejoicing  Christian ;  and  that.,  whenever  I 
go  home,  you  will  find  that  I  am  much  the  same  in  cheer- 
fulness and  happiness  of  mind  as  ever ;  and  that  my  face 
is  still  as  fat,  and  my  *  dimple '  as  visible,  as  it  was  three 
years  ago.  I  trust,  my  dear  father,  that  I  never  have, 
and  never  shall,  say  anything  which  may  lead  you  to 
suppose  that  I  do  not  most  highly  value  your  advice, 
and  feel  very  thankful  for  it ;  for  whose  advice  could  a 
son  prize  so  highly  as  that  of  his  own  father?" 

Whatever  fears  may  have  been  entertained  that  the 
change  in  Maxy's  spiritual  life  might  produce  a  corre- 
sponding one  in  his  animal  spirits,  they  were  speedily 
dispersed  on  his  return  to  his  home.  If  the  thoughts  of 
his  spirit  within  him  tempered  at  times  in  any  degree  the 
brightness  of  his  look,  it  was  far  more  often  for  others 
than  on  his  ovm  account.  If  ever,  under  the  first  conv.'c- 
tion  of  sin, 

"  The  burden  laid  upon  him 
Seem'd  greater  than  he  could  bear," 

like  the  gazer  from  the  bridge,  in  Longfellow's  lines,  he 

could  say, 

"  But  now  it  is  taken  from  me, 

It  is  buried  in  the  sea; 

And  only  the  sorrows  of  others 

Cast  their  shadow  over  me." 

The  ordinary  expression  of  his  joyous  face,  his  cheerful 


leerful 


CHEEKFULNESS  AUD  CONTENT. 


71 


refreshing,  hearty  laugh  never  declined  in  the  most  imper- 
ceptible degree.  On  the  contrary,  his  Christianity  was 
eminently  a  happy  one.  A  settled  peace  was  his.  He 
had  no  cares — no  wants.  So  that  the  compiler  of  these  , 
pages  well  remembers  one  of  his  family  to  have  remarked, 
that  if  Maxy's  religion  brought  nothing  but  such  perfect 
contentment,  there  was  little  cause  for  mistrust.  We 
would  not  lose  sight  of  that  which  is  certainly  true,  that 
Maxy's  character  was  naturally  a  very  cheerful  one;  or 
ascribe  to  the  eflfect  of  grace  a  greater  change  in  his 
natural  man  than  it  really  accomplished.  But  there  can 
be  no  question  that  it  largely  enhanced  and  quickened 
Maxy's  flow  of  happiness,  and  that  it  added  to  his  natu- 
rally sweet  disposition  a  solid  peace,  ever  present,  never 
disturbed.  "The  work  of  righteousness  shall  be  peace, 
and  the  effect  of  righteousness  quietness  and  assurance 
for  ever." 

"  And  now  to  my  proceev'ings  since  I  -.ast  wrote.  0\ir 
inspection  is  over.  We  were  reviewed  on  the  12th,  hilu., 
I  believe,  we  behaved  pretty  well;  at  least  so  oveiy  cur; 
said.  I  should  have  liked  you  and  M  *  ♦  *  to  havc>  been 
there.  We  mustered  rather  strong,  and  our  line  er^ended 
upwards  of  400  yards;  so  that  we  had  scarcely  room  ' o 
manoeuvre,  even  on  that  large  common.  The  movements 
being  something  new,  that  is,  not  the  formal  things  usually 
practised  on  these  occasions,  added  much  to  the  effect. 
As  you  like  these  things,  I  will  give  you  a  list  of  the 
manoeuvres : — 

"  After  receiving  the  general,  marching  past>  &c.,         • 
"  1.  Advance  in  line. 


II  I 


[ 


72 


DOCTEINAL  VIEWS. 


*'  2.  Retired  from  the  right  of  companies,  covered  by  skir- 
mishers. 
"  3.  Closed  to  quarter  distance  on  the  march. 
"  4.  Formed  square, 

"  5.  Ee-formed  column,  and  covered  front  by  skirmishers. 
"  6.  Retired,  and  formed  on  the  head  of  a  road,  our  flanks 

resting  on  a  wall  to  resist  cavalry. 
"-7.  Skirmishera  changed  front  to  the  left,  and  formed 

column. 
"  8.  Skirmishers  called  in  and  fonned  line. 
"  9.  Advanced  in  echellon  of  grand  divisions,  or  double 

companies  from  the  right 
"  10.  Formed  squares  of  grand  divisions. 
*•  11.  Formed  line. 

"  ]  2.  Advanced  in  line,  and  general  salute. 
All  that  was  wanting  was  a  visible  enemy,  as  all 
manoeuvres  must  otherwise  be  unintelligible  to  spectatois. 
I  still  hope  to  pass  the  winter  at  home.  As  for  the  pas- 
sage across  the  Atlantic,  of  course  in  the  winter  it  is 
rough ;  but  I  would  wdllingly  undergo  it-  for  the  joy  of 
getting  home.  My  bestlove  to  all. — ^Ever  your  affectionate 
Son,  «  M.  M.  H." 

This  Atlantic  voyage,  this  happy  return  to  his  home, 
longed  for,  but  looked  forward  to  as  a  joy  even  yet  some- 
what distant,  came  suddenly,  and  in  a  way  least  expected. 
Ma>y  Hammond  had  applied  for  leave;  but  two  other 
officers  had  also  made  application,  and  he  cheerfully 
acquiesced  in  the  colonel's  decision  in  their  favour.  But 
an  accidental  circumstance  induced  him   to  renew  his 


AERIVAL  JLN  ENGLAND. 


40 


)y  skir- 


aishers. 
r  flanks 

formed 


double 


as   all 

ectators. 
the  pas- 
ter it  is 
e  joy  of 
ectioiiate 
A.  H." 

is  home, 
ret  some- 
expected, 
wo  other 
iheerfully 
lur.  But 
enew  his 


application.     To  the  great  sm'prise  and  delight  of  his 
family,  the  next  letter  that  reached  them  was  dated — 

"  Suffolk  Street,  Pall  Mall, 
"  October  16, 1845. 

"My  last  letter  from  Halifax  did  not  contain  the 
slightest  hint  of  my  coming  home  so  soon ;  nor  did  I  then 
think  of  it,  as  the  colonel  had  said  that  C  #  #  *  and 
T  #  #  *  were  to  leave  first.  The  way  it  came  about  was 
this :  My  friend  G  *  *  *  was  very  ill,  and  as  he  was  to 
go  home  by  the  next  packet,  it  struck  me  that  my  services 
would  be  invaluable  to  him  and  his  wife  on  their  journey; 
so  I  determined,  at  any  rate,  to  make  a  push  for  my  leave 
on  that  plea;  and  to  my  great  astonishment  and  delight, 
the  colonel,  with  his  usual  good  nature,  at  once  gave  it 
me :  so  I  packed  up  my  traps,  and  got  on  board  the  good 
ship  Britannia  on  the  3d,  and  bade  adieu  to  Halifax. 
We  had  a  good  passage,  although  I  was  sick  the  whole 
way,  and  reached  Liverpool  the  eleventh  clay.  A  heavy 
gale  on  Saturday  and  Sunday  delayed  ut:  .a  good  deal,  or 
we  might  have  got  in  on  Monday  night.  My  charge  bore 
the  journey  better  than  he  expected;  ho  is  completely 
exhausted  however,  and  I  don't  think  coula  have  borne 
another  day.  I  have  now  to  report  myself  at  the  Horse 
Guards,  and  have  several  other  things  to  do,  which  will 
detain  me  till  the  end  of  the  week.  I  am  very  anxious, 
as  you  may  well  suppose,  to  see  you  all." 

Invaluable  indeed  were  his  services.  Though  inces- 
santly suffering  himself,  his  care  and  attention  to  his 


7* 


DOCTRINAL  VIEWS 


companion  was  unrelaxed.  He  laboured  for  One  who 
"  was  not  unrighteous  to  forget  his  work  and  labour  of 
love  which  he  had  shewed  towards  His  name;"  and  his 
.  tenderness  was  doubtless  not  forgotten  by  the  friend 
whose  bed  he  soothed  in  his  sickness. 

It  was  not  without  mingled  feelings  that  Maxy  regarded 
his  first  return  to  his  home.  Four  years  had  passed  since 
he  had  looked  from  the  deck  of  the  Premier  upon  the 
white  cliffs  ^^f  his  own  country  on  a  morning  in  June — 
the  dawn  indeed  of  the  morning  of  his  own  life — his 
thoughtfi  fuii  of  his  home  and  of  his  friends — crowc'^d 
1*^  '  visions  nf  novelty  and  excitement — and  little  dream- 
iii^  "k't  before  he  saw  those  cliffs  again,  the  germ  of  a 
new  :<nd  hjMoii  life  would  have  ripened  into  maturity, 
under  the  nouiL-day  rays  of  a  far  more  glorious  sun.  He 
had  sailed  from  these  shores  in  every  sense  a  boy,  and 
had  returned  with  his  form  strengthened  into  its  full  de- 
velopment, and  with  the  thoughtful  cast  of  manhood  on 
his  brow.  With  his  outward  form,  his  inner  man  had 
undergone  a  complete  and  entire  change.  Those  four 
years — a  short  space  enough  in  the  life  of  a  man,  an  im- 
l^erceptible  fragment  in  the  course  of  time— had  been  to 
him  momentous  beyori  expression.  In  those  four  years 
the  great  crisis  of  L*;-»  life,  both  for  time  and  for  eternity, 
had  been  reached.  The  past  had  been  swept  away,  and 
from  that  time  the  tide  of  his  life  l^ad  set  in  anew :  from 
that  turning-point  in  his  existeitco,  "the  life  ;hich  he 
l\enceforth  lived  in  tlie  flesli,  he  lived  by  the  faith  of  the 
Son  of  God."  There  was  matter  indeed  for  deep  reflec- 
tion on  his  part,  as  the  meeting  with  his  friends  drew 
near — matter  too  for  solemn  oratitude  on  theirs,  ami  no 


f 


AREIVAL  IN  ENGLAND. 


75 


less  scope  for  interesting  thought.  He  arrived ;  and  the 
effect  of  the  change  that  had  passed  over  him  was  mani- 
fest to  us  all.  Bright  as  his  face  was  in  his  boyhood,  it 
was  remarked  now  that  it  was  as  the  face  of  an  angel. 

His  thoughts  had  been,  as  we  have  said  before,  early 
turned  towards  his  youngest  brother.  He  knew  the  inesti- 
mable value  of  impressions  received  before  the  heart  and 
affections  have  become  hardened  and  blunted  with  sin; 
and  he  eagerly  desired  for  this  young  brother  that,  as  long 
as  he  lived,  he  should  be  lent  unto  the  Lord.  The  ac- 
count of  their  first  meeting  is  thus  related : — 

"  The  first  time  I  met  Maxy  in  London,  I  did  not  in 
the  least  know  him.  I  was  at  Eton  at  the  time,  and  we 
met  at  Cox's,  in  Jermyn  Street,  by  appointment.  After 
our  first  greetings  were  over,  we  walked  down  Piccadilly. 
We  had  not  gone  far  when  he  said,  *  I  hope  you  did  not 
mind  my  writing  to  you  about  religion.  The  fact  is,  I 
feel  very  strongly  about  it,  and  I  want  you  to  feel  the 
same/  He  seemed  greatly  relieved  when  he  had  thus 
broken  the  ice,  and  when  we  came  home,  he  instantly 
began  reading  the  Bible  with  my  sisters  and  myseK  every 
morning." 

That  the  growth  of  his  spiritual  life  had  been  most 
rapid,  was  as  evident  to  all  of  us  at  home,  as  the  follow- 
ing extracts  from  letters  shew  that  it  had  been,  and  after- 
wards continued  to  be,  to  his  other  friends : —  ^ 

"Hammond  grows  apace/'  one  of  them  says;  "his 
knowledge,  wisdom,  and  courage,  cause  me  to  blush, 
but  I  hope  he  stirs  me  up  at  times."    "Hammond,  *  *  *, 


and  *  *  *, 


are  together 


at  Kingston — what  a  trio!" 


"  Hammond  grows  like  a  plant."   "  Hammond  sends  aflfec- 


76 


DOCTRINAL  YIEWa 


tionate  remembrances;  he  is  growing,  and  is  a  lovely 
character." 

And  do  not  these  extracts  furnish  a  happy  evidence 
that  not  in  vain  he  strove  to  be  conformed  to  the  image 
of  Him,  who  "  grew  up  as  a  tender  plant,  and  as  a  root 
out  of  a  dry  place."  His  letters  all  shew  that  he  was  daily 
becoming  more  like  Him — more  spiiitually-minded. 

But  tliis  year  of  enjoyment  at  his  home  was  not  to  pass 
without  a  cloud.  It  pleased  Him  "  in  whom  we  live,  and 
move,  and  have  our  being,"  to  take  to  her  rest  one  to  whose 
instrumentality,  in  part,  Maxy  Hammond  owed  his  know- 
ledge of  the  way  of  life — one  whom  he  himself  loved  as  a 
sister — one  whose  husband  was  his  dearest  friend,  and  at 
whose  house  those  happy  family  meetings  took  place  on 
Saturday  evenings  at  Halifax.  Still  a  young  wife,  almost 
yet  a  bride,  she  was  called  away  by  the  voice  of  the  hea- 
venly Bridegroom.  In  words  full  of  tender  affection,  he 
replies  to  a  letter  from  his  stricken  friend: — 

" St  Albans  Court,  22d  May  1 846. 

"  My  dear  L  #  •  #, — It  grieves  me  to  think  that  I 
should  have  put  you  to  the  pain  of  again  repeating  the 
details  of  the  last  hours  of  your  departed,  but,  through  the 
mercies  of  her  Saviour,  now  sainted  wife.  I  say  this,  be- 
cause I  think  that  every  repetition  of  the  events  of  those 
awful  days  must  bring  back  the  scenes  more  vividly  than 
ever  to  your  mind.  Most  earnestly  do  I  join  Tvith  you  in 
the  prayer  that  God  will  let  her,  "though  dead,  speak"  to 
the  souls  of  her  friends,  and  to  mine  among  the  number. 
And  tlierefore  most  especially  do  I  thank  you  for  such  a 
full  account  of  her  last  illness  and  death.     I  pray  God 


\ 


LETTER  OP  CONDOLENCE. 


77 


that  her  holy  example  of  living  and  dying,  may  be  the 
means  of  quickening  me  to  increased  devotedness  to  His 
semce,  and  to  a  more  living  faith  in  the  Lord  Jesus ;  and 
to  a  deeper  sense  of  the  loving-kindness  and  faithfulness  of 
my  God  and  Saviour.  You  will  believe  me  when  I  assure 
you  that  I  loved  her  as  my  own  sister :  and,  as  I  have  told 
you  before,  the  more  so  from  her  having,  in  the  Lord's 
hands,  been,  with  yourself,  instrumental  in  leading  me  to 
the  knowledge  of  that  Saviour  in  whose  preaence  she  now 
is.  Most  deeply,  therefore,  can  I  sympathisi?  with  you  in 
your  irreparable  loss.  But  no,  I  will  not  say  'irreparable,' 
for,  as  you  remark,  the  Lord  can  more  than  fill  the  gap 
His  hand  has  caused.  And  may  God  enable  you  to  rea- 
lise the  truth  oF  this  promise.  May  He  give  you  such 
faith  as  may  enable  you  to  look  behind  the  cloud  to  His 
face  beaming  with  love  and  mercy.  It  is  delightful  to 
dwell  on  the  goodness  of  the  Lord,  and  in  your  own  caso 
it  is  indeed  a  subject  of  praise  that  He  has  so  manifested 
His  faithfulness  and  truth,  supporting  you  throughout 
this  dispensation.  To  Him  be  all  the  glory  and  all  the 
praise ! 

"Your  allusion  to  the  extract  from  her  journal  was  very 
pleasing  to  me.  Well  do  I  recollect  that  communion ;  and 
in  my  own  journal  have  recorded  my  own  coldness  of 
heart,  and  distraction  of  thought,  while  she  was  enjoying 
so  fully  the  bread  of  life.  God  grant  that  her  wish  (and 
I  have  no  doubt  her  frequent  prayer)  may  be  realised,  that 
we  may  one  day  praise  the  Redeemer  together.  How  re- 
markable, too,  that  her  last  hymn  was  that  which  I  and  we 
all  loved  so  much.  I  have  got  three  of  her  favourite 
hymns  in  her  own  handwriting,  which  she  copied  out  for  me 


Vs 


DOCTRINAL  VIEWS. 


4i 

I 


about  this  time  last  year — 'Thy  will  be  done;*  'Prayer 
is  the  soul's  sincere  desire/  and  lines  *0n  being  called  a 
saint.'  Little  did  I  think  when  she  gave  me  these,  that  in 
less  than  one  short  year  she  would  actually  be  ei\joying 
the  fruition  of  her  praver : — 

*  Lord,  when  on  earth  I  breathe  no  more. 
The  prayer  oft  mix'd  with  sin  before 

I  '11  sing  upon  a  happier  shore ; 

Thy  will  be  done!' 

Yes,  dear  L  •  ♦  «,  let  us  reach  those  words,  *  Thy  will  be 
done,  0  Lord,  for  so  it  seemed  good  in  thy  sight.'  How 
awfully  true  too  did  the  second  verse  of  the  hymn  prove 
to  you :  may  you  be  enabled  to  join  in  it  in  heart : — 

*  If  thou  shouldst  cause  me  to  resign 
What  most  I  prized,  it  ne'er  ^iras  mine; 
I  only  yiell  thee  what  is  thine ; 

Thy  will  be  done!' 

Most  cirefully  shall  I  cherish  this  little  memento  of  my 
depar.«d  sister.  These  subjects,  submission,  prayer,  and 
bold  profession,  remind  me  of  her  who  copied  them.  And 
now  I  come  to  that  part  of  your  letter  descriptive  of  her 
last  moments.  I  will  not  dwell  upon  it.  Her  end  was 
peace.  It  calls  us  to  stop  and  adore  in  humble  gratitude  Him 
who  was  able  to  perfect  strength  in  such  weakness;  who, 
while  the  outward  man  was  perishing,  was  renewing  the 
inner,  and  making  it  meet  to  put  on  the  glorious  apparel 
of  the  saints  in  light.  I  trust  and  pray  God  that  your 
object  in  sending  the  particulars  may  be  fulfilled ;  that  I 
may  be  enabled  to  give  up  myself  more  entirely  to  the 

-</'■'■  '■ 


CONSOLATION. 


79 


service  of  the  Lord ;  and  that  in  seasons  of  darkness  and 
trouble,  I  may  be  enabled  to  look  up  to  Him  who  alone  can 
give  support  and  consolation ;  and  may  you  find  more  of 
that  peace  which  the  Lord  has  promised  to  his  afflicted 
children.  I  hope,  if  the  Lord  will,  to  see  you  when  you 
come  to  town.  Please  let  me  know  when  you  will  be 
there,  and  when  you  would  like  nie  to  meet  you.  Adieu 
for  the  present  The  Lord  be  with  you. — Ever  your  sin- 
cere frkud,  "M.  M.  H." 


> 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


1.1 


11.25 


u^  lU   12.2 
Lo    12.0 


lit 


IB   ^ 

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0% 


p> 


^  ^> 


'j^ 


7 


Photographic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


33  WIST  MAIN  STRUT 

WnSTH.N.Y.  MSM 

(7t6)  •73-4S03 


^^ 


80 


LOVE  OF  HOMB. 


CHAFTEB  VL 

^tih  of  p0int 

*'  My  home,  my  home,  ob,  ever  dear 
Thy  hallow'd  scenes  shall  be; 
.  ^  '  In  joy  or  grief,  in  hope  or  fear. 

My  spirit  clings  to  thee. 
I  deem  my  home  an  emblem  meet 
Of  that  enduring,  last  retreat. 
From  pain  and  passion  free, 
Where  Peace  shall  fix  her  bright  abode. 
And  yield  her  followers  up  to  God." 

Barvabd's  F0HM8. 

The  few  months  of  Maxy  Hammond's  leave  soon  expired ; 
and  in  August  he  writes  again  to  a  brother  officer  and 
friend  to  announce  his  approaching  return  to  America: — 

"London,  August  17,  1846. 

"  My  dear  L  «  ♦  ♦, — I  just  write  a  line  to  say  good- 
bye before  my  departure  for  Halifax.  I  should  have  liked 
to  have  seen  you  once  more,  but  I  must  rest  satisfied  with 
the  prospect  some  months  hence.  Of  course,  you  know 
that  the  regiment  has  left  Halifax;  but  where  they  are  to 
be  quartered  I  have  not  ascertained — either  at  Quebec, 
Montreal,  or  St  John's.  W  «  ♦  «  and  N  «  «  «  have 
both  been  down  to  see  me.    I  enjoyed  W  •  •  «'s  visk 


IV 


CORRESPONDENCE. 


81 


nd 


)d- 
:ed 
ith 

to 
ec, 
Lve 


amazingly>  and  most  truly  glad  was  I  to  meet  him  once 
more.  I  am  sure  we  can  mark  in  him  an  evident  growth 
in  gi'ace,  and  I  could  not  but  admire  the  warmth  and  de- 
votion of  his  heart  to  his  Master's  cause.  With  dear 
N  «  «  «,  too,  I  had  a  truly  liappy  meeting.  He  staid 
with  me  from  Saturday  till  Monday,  and  on  Sunday  we 
were  privileged  to  kneel  together  at  the  Lord's  table.  I 
fear  our  battalions  are  to  be  separated — in  which  case  you 
also  will  be  separated  from  us  when  you  get  promoted. 
But  how  blessed  a  thing  is  it  to  know  that  we  have  one 
Friend  who  is  ever  with  us. to  guide,  strengthen,  comfort, 
and  save  us !  Oh,  may  we  find  him  more  and  more  pre- 
cious to  our  souls !  I  have  left  home  with  mingled  feel- 
ings of  sorrow  and  joy— sorrow  at  parting  from  many  I 
love  dearly,  both  in  the  flesh  and  in  the  Lord.  My  con- 
science also  accuses  me  of  past  negligence  about  the  con- 
cerns of  others,  and  great  lukewarmncss  in  my  Master's 
service.  But,  on  the  other  hand,  how  great  have  been 
the  Lord's  mercies,  how  wonderfully  have  the  rough  places 
been  made  smooth,  and  the  crooked  paths  straight !  The 
promise  has  indeed  been  most  graciously  fulfilled  in  me 
— '  Goodness  and  mercy  shall  follow  him  all  the  days  of 
his  life.*  I  hope  you  have  been  enjoying  your  visit  to 
Scarborough,  and  that  the  Lord  is  gradually  healing  your 
wounded  spirit  The  Word  can  never  faiL  '  Afterward 
He  will  have  compassion  according  to  the  multitude  of 
His  tender  mercies.'  With  my  kindest  remembrances  to 
all  your  party,  and  the  prayer  that  the  Lord  will  continue 
to  cheer  you  and  comfort  you  in  your  pilgrimage,  be- 
lieve me,  your  unworthy  brother  in  Christ, 

«M.  M.  H." 


82 


LOVE  OF  HOME. 


The  iiext  is  from  Liverpool,  to  his  mother: — 

"August  18,  1846. 

"  My  dearest  Mother, — I  just  write  you  a  few  lines 
to  thank  you  for  the  most  kind  and  affectionate  letter  that 
I  received  this  evening.  T  should  like  to  express  my 
gratitude,  but  I  feel  that  1  cannot  do  so  as  I  would  de- 
sire and  wish;  so  forgive  my  apparent  coldness  and  in- 
difference. Your  letter  produced  in  my  mind  feelings  of 
sorrow  and  joy  at  the  same  time.  I  felt  humbled,  under 
a  sense  of  my  utter  unworthiness  (believe  me,  I  say  this 
from  my  very  heart)  of  such  expressions  of  affection  and 
esteem  as  you  were  pleased  to  bestow  on  me.  As  a  son, 
I  feel  also  that  I  have  done  much  to  grieve  and  dishonour 
the  best  of  parents;  as  a  brother,  that  I  have  frequently 
given  way  to  harshness  and  ill  temper.  But,  although  I 
feel  and  have  felt  my  sinfulness  in  this  respect,  yet  I  be- 
lieve it  has  been  (and  I  trust  always  will  be)  my  earnest 
desire  and  prayer  to  shew  that  I  am  not  insensible  to  the 
great  affection  of  you  and  all  my  family.  With  regard  to 
my  religious  feelings,  I  will  say  but  little.  If  I  have  been 
made  to  differ  at  all  from  what  I  once  was,  I  would  ascribe 
all  the  praise  and  all  the  glory  to  a  merciful  and  long- 
suffering  God;  for  I  feel  daily  more  and  more  strongly 
that  all  has  been  of  His  doing — none  of  mine.  Pray  re- 
member, dear  mother,  that  I  am  a  weak  and  sinful  crea- 
ture, and  still  liable  to  fall;  and  pray  for  me,  that  He 
who  has  begun  this  good  work,  may  continue  to  carry  it#" 

on I  hope  father's  description  of  the  Yankee  will 

make  you  laugh  as  much  as  the  original  made  us.     Poor 
MabI  (his  d?g)  I  am  in  doubt  of  ever  seeing  her  again; 


HUMILITY. 


sa 


what  I  fear  is,  that  she  will  get  away  from  the  people  at 
Birmingham,  or  will  gnaw  through  the  string,  which  is 
an  old  trick.  I  was  so  sorry  not  to  bid  Anne  (an  old 
servant)  good-bye ;  tell  her  so,  and  thank  h»  very  much 
for  her  invaluable  assistance  in  my  packing.  ....  And 
now,  dear  mother,  once  more,  farewell  You  will  often 
be  in  my  thoughts,  and  always  in  my  prayers. — ^Your 
very  affectionate  and  truly  grateful  son,         M.  M.  H."' 


This  letter  portrays  very  forcibly  a  very  marked  fea- 
ture in  Maxy  Hammond's  character — his  great  humility. 
We  read  here  the  outpourings  of  a  heart  which,  however  it 
might  appear  to  others,  was  in  his  own  sight  full  of  infir- 
mity, full  of  defect.  How  earnestly,  with  what  simplicity, 
he  mourns  over  his  sense  of  indwelling  sin — of  the  old  man 
struggling  with  the  new !  "  What  I  would,  that  do  I  not; 
but  what  I  hate,  that  I  do/'  And  yet  he  who  writes  thus 
had  very  recently  been  described,  in  a  preceding  page,  as 
"  one  whose  knowledge  and  wisdom  put  others  to  the  blush  " 
— ^as  "growing  like  a  plant" — as  "  shining  and  growing  in 
grace" — ^as  a  "  lovely  character."  And  if  he  had  all  this, 
if  thus  rightly  described,  whence  came  it  ?  Was  it  not 
because  God  "  resisteth  the  proud,  but  giveth  grace  to  the 
hwmbW — ^because  "  the  high  and  lofty  One,  whose  name 
is  Holy,  dwells  with  him  that  is  of  a  contrite  and  lowly 
spirit" — ^because,  "  when  men  are  cast  down  there  is  a  lift- 
ing up,  and  God  shall  save  the  humble  person?"  His  love 
for  his  "home" — that  word  which  has  no  synonym  in 
any  other  language  than  our  own — was  very  deeply  im- 
planted, using  it  in  its  widest  sense.  His  affection  to  his 
family  was  closely  interwoven  with  an  attachment  to  tlia 


84 


LOVE  OF  HOME. 


If 


place  where  his  days  of  boyhood  and  childhood  were 
passed,  and  he  clung  to  that  spot  with  all  its  associations. 
By  nature  especially  unselfish,  his  spirit  entered  into  all 
the  little  interests  of  his  family  circle.  But  he  early  felt 
that  one  of  the  drawbacks  to  a  soldier's  life  was  the 
absence  of  this  "  home'y"  element  He  looked  forward 
indeed  very  soon  after  this  to  marriage,  as  a  means  of 
creating  around  him  an  atmosphere  of  that  domestic 
character  for  which  his  heart  yearned ;  and  in  after  years 
his  greatest  delight  was  to  be  able  to  oflTer  to  young  officers 
that  happy  fireside  intercourse  which,  at  the  outset  of  his 
career,  had  brought  such  priceless  blessings  to  himself. 

Much  of  this  feeling  is  breathed  in  the  following  let- 
ters. In  one;  dated  Toronto,  September  22,  1847,  he 
says: — 

"My  deae  Father, — .  ....  I  try  to  write  to  all 
successively,  and  this  is  the  only  way  I  can  at  all  repay 
your  never-failing  pens  and  hearts.  I  must  begin  with 
the  usual  preface  of  having  nothing  to  write  about;  but, 
in  spite  of  this,  I  am  conceited  enough  to  imagine  that 
you  will  count  my  letter  as  worth  more  than  the  postage, 
if  it  only  tells  you  that  I  am  well,  and  that  I  do  not  forget 
my  home,  and  my  dear  friends  there.  I  remember  telling 
you  once  that  I  thought  that  long  separation  made  me 
forget  your  faces — ^this  I  must  deny  in  toto.  On  the  con- 
trary, the  farther  I  am  from  you,  the  more  present  do  you 
seem  to  my  mind.  I  delight  in  feeling  that  my  affection 
for  you  all  increases,  instead  of  decreases;  time,  in  this 
respect,  is  not  injurious." 

And  in  an  earlier  one,  to  his  mother: — 


AFFECTION  FOK  HIS  FAMILY. 


85 


V     \ 


"January  2,  1845.    • 

"  How  I  should  have  enjoyed  to  have  been  one  of  your 
party  last  Christmas !  However  we  may  hope  by  the 
blessing  of  God,  to  be  aP  at  home  next  winter.  But, 
altliough  I  am  so  many  miles  away,  I  passer*  here  a  most 
happy  Christmas;  in  fact,  we  are  all  like  one  family,  as  I 
could  not  help  remarking,  as  we  sat  round  the  fire  after 
dinner  at  L  «  «  «'s  the  other  day — it  reminded  me  so 
much  of  home.  It  so  happened,  that  L  «  «  «  sat  in  the 
exact  place  that  father  always  does,  and  Mrs  L  *  «  « in 
your  comer  next  the  waJL" 

And  so  again  he  writes  to  his  father  from  on  board 
the  Britannia  at  sea.  After  a  few  remarks  as  to  her 
progress,  his  fellow-passengers,  &c.,  he  says : — 


"  Now  let  me  turn  my  thoughts  towards  home  and  all 
that  I  have  left  behind  me.  I  can't  tell  you  how  much  I 
enjoyed  the  comfort  of  your  and  H  «  «  «'s  company  to 
Liverpool ;  nor  can  I  thank  you  sufficiently  for  all  your 
kindness  and  generosity  to  me  at  all  times.  However 
unable  I  may  be  to  express  my  gratitude,  I  do  feel  most 
thankful,  and  would  wish  you  to  believe  that  I  am  so.  I 
felt  very  sorrowful  as  your  little  steamer  gradually  in- 
creased lier  distance  from  us.  It  was  my  last  glimpse  of 
home;  and  when  you  were  out  of  sight,  I  remembered 
that  I  was  now  separated  and  once  more  launched  upon 
the  wide  world.  I  need  hardly  tell  you  how  much  I 
enjoyed  my  happy  eleven  months'  leave.  But  I  look  for- 
ward with  great  pleasure  to  rejoining  the  regiment  I 
shoidd  not  like  to  be  idle  any  longer.    I  am  hoping  to 


86 


LOVE  OF  HOME. 


catch  the  BellMe  at  Halifax,  that  I  may  get  my  luggage 
sent  up  to  Quebec.  If  she  is  gone  I  shall  take  it  on  with 
me  to  Boston,  and  so  to  Montreal  by  rail  and  steam. 
Nothing  has  occurred  of  interest  since  we  left  except  the 
loss  of  our  jib-boom  and  the  sight  of  a  fine  iceberg  yes- 
terday. Mab  and  Bully  (his  bullfinch)  are  both  thriving. 
Mab  lives  under  the  forecastle,  and  Bully  in  my  cabin, 
and  on  deck  in  fine  weather.  He  has  only  sung  four 
times  since  we  started,  but  I  hope  he  will  behave  better 
when  we  land. 

"Septemher  2. — ^The  BellMe  sails  at  daybreak  to- 
morrow. We  shall  probably  arrive  at  Quebec  about  the 
16th,  so  I  shall  most  likely  be  at  Montreal  by  the  time 
my  luggage  arrives.  Bully  and  Mab  in  Safe  keeping.  I 
have  been  favoured  with  several  songs  since  we  landed. 
.  .  .  That  the  Lord  may  bless  and  preserve  you,  will  ever 
be  the  prayer  of  your  most  affectionate  son, 

"M.  M.  H." 

The  battalion  was  removed  to  Montreal,  and  the  first 
letter  we  find  dated  from  that  place  is  addressed  to  Dr 
T  «  «  «,  the  minister  of  Halifax,  whom  he  loved  as  a 
faithful  minister  of  Christ,  and  valued  as  a  friend. 


"Montreal,  Octo&er  24, 1846. 

"  Mt  dear  Dr  T  ♦  «  ♦, —  ...  I  know  that  the  sub- 
ject that  will  chiefly  interest  you  will  be  to  hear  of  the 
spiritual  welfare  of  those  whose  pastor  you  have  been, 
and  amongst  whom  you  have  laboured  for  a  few  years  not 
without  success,  through  the  mercy  of  our  Lord.  You 
would  be  gratified  to  hear  witli  what  affection  and  esteem 


LETTER  TO  Dll  T   «    «    41 — CDlklMuN  INTERESTS. 


87 


your  memory  is  regarded  by  those  who  have  heart3  to 
love  their  Saviour:  and  indeed  by  all,  whether  religious  or 
not  (as  I  know  from  authority  that  I  can  rely  upon),  is 
the  same  testimony  borne  to  your  kindness  and  unceasing 
attention.  I  don't  think  you  will  accuse  me  of  flattery  in 
telling  you  this.  I  do  so,  thinking  it  may  be  a  source  of 
somo  comfort  and  satisfaction  to  you  to  know  that  *  your 
labour  is  not  in  vain  in  the  Lord;'  and  well-knowing  that 
you  will  say,  *  To  the  Lord  be  all  the  praise  and  all  the 
glory.'  I  have  many  things  to  tell  you,  subjects  of  joy 
and  also  of  sorrow.  Most  of  those  who  have  been  brought 
to  the  fear  of  the  Lord  have  been  going  on  steadily  and 
consistently,  as  far  as  I  can  learn.  But  Satan  has  been 
very  busy  amongst  us  too.  Some  *  crucified  afresh  the  Son 
of  God,  and  counted  the  blood  of  the  covenant  a  common 
thing.*  .  .  .  How  we  miss  the  Sunday  School.  There  is 
now  nothing  of  the  sort,  except  the  lecture  on  Sunday 
evening,  at  which  the  men  can  attend.  Truly  we  all  need 
to  be  brought  together,  that  we  may  stir  each  other  up,  and 
by  precept,  example,  and  advice,  encourage  and  assist  one 
another  in  running  the  race  set  before  us.  But  the  Lord's 
ways  are  not  our  ways,  and  t  doubt  not  it  is  g  d  for 
us  to  be  deprived  of  the  abundance  of  privileges  vvh'ch 
we  enjoyed  at  Halifax.  Oh !  that  it  may  lead  each  and 
all  of  us  to  be  applying  with  more  earnestness  and  fre- 
quency to  the  fountain-head ;  that  it  may  be  our  blessed- 
ness to  be  receiving  fresh  supplies  out  of  the  fulness  that 
is  treasured  up  in  Jesuc.  If  you  have  at  any  time  a  few 
minutes  to  spare,  I  can't  tell  you  what  pleasure  a  few  lines 
would  aflford  me.  I  should  like  much  to  hear  how  the 
schools  (men's  and  children's)  are  getting  on,  what  number 


88 


LOVE  OF  HOME. 


you  generally  muster  at  the  hospital  class,  and  whether  the 
vacant  places  have  yet  been  filled.  Poor  C  «  «  « !  so  he 
is  gone.  Did  he  shew  any  satisfactory  evidence  of  change 
before  he  died  ?  I  am  most  anxious  to  learn  this.  And 
what  of  old  M  »  «  «,  how  is  he  ?  And  does  his  heart 
appear  at  all  softened  ?  My  servant  desires  to  be  respect- 
fully remembered  to  you.  My  kind  regards  to  Mrs 
T  ♦  «  ♦,  and,  with  prayer  for  your  own  welfare,  spiritual 
and  temporal,  and  that  the  Lord  may  bless  your  labours 
to  the  salvation  of  many  souls,  believe  me,  my  dear  Dr 
T  «  «  «,  yours,  niost  sincerely  and  obliged, 

"M.  M.  Hammond." 

The  following  extract  from  a  letter  to  his  father,  who 
was  engaged  upon  a  work  in  which  the  subject  of  prophecy 
was  somewhat  fully  treated,  appears  to  have  been  written 
about  this  time : — 


"  The  study  of  prophecy  is  one  of  deep  interest  and 
importance.  It  is  the  key  which  opens  to  us  the  hidden 
and  dark  parts  of  the  sacred  book ;  and  by  it  are  made 
manifest  what  would  otherwise  appear  confusion  and 
obscurity.  The  prophecies  in  reference  to  the  Messiah,  of 
which  you  are  especially  treating,  are  in  fact  the  basis  of 
the  Christian  religion,  and  therefore  cannot  be  too  highly 
regarded.  On  their  truth  depends  the  authority  of  the 
Bible,  and  that  which  is  of  infinite  importance  to  us  fallen 
creatures,  the  salvation  of  sinful  man.  From  beginning 
to  end  the  Bible  points  to  Jesus  as  the  Alpha  and  Omega, 
the  first  and  the  last,  the  object  of  all  our  hopes,  the  sum 
and  substance  of  our  faith,  of  which  He  is  the  Author  and 


C0RltBSP(.;:4DEMC£. 


89 


Finisher.     For  my  part,  I  am  but  very  imperfectly  ac-. 
quainted  with  the  prophecies ;  but  I  hope  to  know  more 
of  them  in  time,  and  that  your  book  may  be  the  means  of 
leading  me  to  a  better  knowledge." 

Maxy  Hammond  never  omitted  an  opportunity  of 
securing  friendships  that  he  could  really  value,  and,  once 
secured,  he  never  lost  them  through  neglect  as  a  corre- 
spondent In  almost  every  place  in  which  he  was  quar- 
tered he  left  some  real  friend  behind,  with  whom  he 
afterwards  kept  up  a  regular  intercourse,  and  to  one  of 
these  the  next  letter  is  addressed. 


■I'l 


"Montreal,  Octefter  10. 

"  My  deab  I  •  *  ♦,— Let  me  inquire  something  of  you 
and  yours  since  we  shook  hands  on  board  the  Cambria. 
I  hope  all  is  still  well  with  you,  and  that  matters  are  going 
on  as  smoothly  and  quietly  as  when  I  left  Halifax;  and 
what  of  Mr  C  «  «  « ?  I  am  most  anxious  to  hear  how  he 
is,  and  how  he  has  been  since  I  saw  him  last ;  pray  let  me 
know,  as  I  am  deeply  interested  in  him  at  all  times,  and 
now  the  more  so,  when  the  Lord*s  hand  is  upon  him. 
You  can  give  him  my  kindest  and  best  wishes,  with  every 
Christian  remembrance.  ...  I  heard  «  «  «  preach 
here  last  Sunday.  He  is  a  decided  Arminian,  and  in  his 
sermon  on  Gen.  vL  3,  he  endeavoured  to  refute  the  Cal- 
vinistic  views  by  a  variety  of  arguments.  *  *  *  is  gone 
down  to  Quebec ;  I  had  some  very  interesting  conversations 
with  him,  and  I  do  hope  that  he  will  one  day  be  brought 
into  the  fold;  he  says  he  is  very  anxious  and  very  desirous 
of  turning  to  the  liord,  but  that  'he  cannot;'  he  thinks 


90 


LOVE  OF  HOME. 


'  I, 


he  is  *  one  of  the  black  sheep/  What  an  extraordmaiy 
notion  I  I  endeavoured  to  point  out  to  him  the  way;  and 
I  trust  the  Lord,  in  His  own  time  and  way,  will  lead  him 
into  it.  Young  «  «  •  is  much  in  the  same  state  of  mind. 
Yesterday  I  had  a  long  and  serious  talk  with  him.  His 
stumblingblock,  I  think,  is  the  fear  of  man.  But  I  have 
great  hopes  of  him.  If  we  had  more  faiUi,  and  relied 
more  upon  the  Lord,  how  much  might  be  done  I  How 
simple  are  the  promises,  and  how  slow  are  we  to  believe 
them  I  '  Lord,  help  Thou  mine  unbelief.'  I  found  a  great 
change  on  coming  here,  many  new  faces,  very  few  old  ones, 
and  not  one  to  go  to  for  Efympathy  or  advice.  My  greatest 
friend  is  my  own  servant,  B  «  «  «,  whom  you  may  per- 
haps remember  at  our  Sunday  School.  As  yet,  I  have  not 
made  the  acquaintance  of  Mr  W  •  «  «,  though  I  have 
called  several  times.  You  will  be  rejoiced  to  hear  that 
C  «  «  «  is  an  altered  man.  One  who  before  was  de- 
cidedly opposed  to  vital  religion,  and  quite  impenetrable. 
His  wife  died  in  the  spring,  rejoicing  in  her  Saviour,  and 
this  has  been  blessed  to  him.  How  true  the  old  remark, 
'Man's  extremity  is  God's  opportunity/  C  «  *  «  is 
much  changed  now  from  what  he  was.  Mr  «  «  «'s 
death  seems  to  have  aroused  him.  You  will  grieve  to  hear 
of  the  fall  of  poor  «  «  «.  I  don't  know  the  particulars, 
but  C  «  »  « told  me  he  had  gone  back  to  the  ways  of 
sia  .  .  .  Thus,  while  we  are  rejoicing  over  some,  we  are 
mourning  over  others.  Let  us  look  to  our  own  hearts, 
and  pray  God  to  search  and  try  us,  that  we  may  discover 
what  we  are  in  tnith.  And  when  we  look  within,  what 
do  we  behold,  but  'every  form  of  creeping  things  and 
abominable  beasts,  and  all  the  idols  of  the  house  of  Israel, 


r  ■'■■'*• 


FAITH  IN  CHRIST. 


91 


portrayed  upon  the  walls  thereof !'  What  but  the  blood 
of  Jesus  can  cleanse  us,  and  what  but  the  Spirit  can 
sanctify  us  ?  He  is  our  all,  our  beginning,  and  He  must 
be  our  end,  if  we  would  win  heaven.  May  He  be  more 
precious  to  you  and  to  me  here,  and  may  He  be  our  ever- 
lasting portion  hereafter  I — ^Yours,  in  the  best  and  happiest 
bonds,  M.  M.  Hammond." 

In  speaking  of  one  of  these  sick  persons,  the  testimony 
of  a  mind  stayed  upon  Jesus,  and  kept  in  peace  by  Him, 
is  thus  related  by  Captain  Hammond:— 


"  Before  you  come  out  again,"  he  writes,  "  it  is  more 
than  probable  that  two  dear  friends  of  ours  will  have 
entered  into  their  rest — Mr  0  «  «  «  and  H.  M  m  «  ». 
0  {»  «  «  has  been  growing  weaker  and  weaker,  but  though 
the  outward  man  is  perishing,  the  inward  man  is  being 
renewed  day  by  day.  In  a  conversation  that  I  «  «  •  had 
with  him,  he  asked  him  if  he  could  read  now.  '  No,"  he 
replied,  '  but  I  am  feeding,  on  what  is  stored  up  in  my 
mind.'  I  «  «  «  then  said, '  What  a  great  mei*cy  it  is  that 
you  have  this  store  of  truth  in  your  mind.'  *  True,'  he 
said,  '  and  one  truth  is  ever  present  with  me,  that  Christ 
Jesus  came  into  the  world  to  save  sinners.' " 


i  . 


The  next  letter  is  dated,  Montreal,  December  12, 
1846,  and  is  written  on  the  approaching  new  year,  to  his 
brother: — 

"  On  these  occasions,"  he  says,  "  it  is  good  to  look  back 
on  the  past,  and  to  call  to  mind  the  mercies  and  blessings 


1 


LOVE  OF  HOME. 


that  we  have  received  at  the  liord's  hands.  .  .  .  The  new 
year  is  also  a  time  for  humiliation,  when  we  call  to  mind 
our  own  doings  during  the  twelve  months  gone  by;  when 
we  ask  ourselves  what  we  have  been  doing;  how  we  have 
employed  our  time  and  talents;  whetk :,  upon  the  whole, 
there  has  been  any  improvement  in  our  hearts  and  lives ' 
whether  we  have  *  grown  in  grace,  and  in  the  knowledge  ot 
our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ;'  whether  we  have  been 
faithful  to  pur  Lord  and  Master;  and  whether  we  have 
done  our  duty  towards  our  fellow-men.  Who  could  say 
in  his  heart,  I  have  done  all  this.?  Bather,  we  have  reason 
to  humble  ourselves  before  God,  at  how  little  we  have 
done  that  we  might  have  done,  and  seek  to  be  washed  in 
that  blood  which  alone  can  take  away  sin.  The  new  year, 
too,  is  a  time  to  look  forward,  as  well  as  back — to  commit 
the  unknown  future  to  Him  who  is  our  Friend  and 
Keeper,  and  to  resolve,  in  the  strength  of  Divine  grace, 
that  the  close  of  the  new  year  shall  find  us  more  watchful, 
more  prayerful,  more  humble,  and  more  holy  than  at  the 
commencement  of  it.  We  must  resolve  to  be  more 
devoted  to  the  service  of  God  than  we  have  been,  more 
earnest  about  the  salvation  of  others,  more  zealous  in 
doing  good,  more  decided  in  bearing  witness  to  Jesus  in 
the  world.  In  saying  so  much  on  this  subject,  I  do  so 
merely  because  I  think  it  is  right,  at  such  seasons,  that 
we  should  stir  each  other  up,  and  put  one  another  in  mind 
of  the  great  object  of  our  lives,  viz.,  preparation  for 
eternity. — ^Your  affectionate  brother, 

"M.M.H." 


m 


LETTEBSi 


CHAPTER  VIL 

fttters. 

*  0  Bootbe  ns,  haunt  as,  night  and  dtj. 
Ye  gentle  spirits  far  away. 
With  whom  we  shared  the  onp  of  grao*— 
Then  parted ;  ye  to  Christ's  embraoe^ 
We  to  the  lonesome  world  agun ; 
*  Tet  mindful  of  th'  unearthly  strain. 

Practised  with  you  at  Eden's  door. 
To  be  sung  on,  where  angels  soar. 
With  blended  Toices  eyermore." 

In  no  profession  are  the  members  of  one  community  so 
liable  to  sudden  separation  as  in  the  army.  Here  to-day, 
five  or  six  officers  may  be  dispersed  to-morrow  to  the  four 
quarters  of  the  globe — scattered  at  every  change  of  wind, 
like  driftwood  or  autumn  leaves.  "  Out  of  sight  out  of 
mind"  is  a  reproach  which  has  grown  into  a  standhig 
proverb;  a  sad  reflection  on  the  shallow  depth  of  summer 
friendship.  Yet  even  that  friendship  which  is  not  of  the 
world,  but  based  upon  the  love  of  the  Saviour,  needs  the 
interchange  of  thought,  or  the  expression  of  common  in- 
terests, to  keep  it  from  declining. 

So,  when  the  little  group  of  officers,  who  began  together 
their  Christian  life  at  Halifax,  was  broken  up  and  scattered 
abroad,  Maxy  Hammond  suffered  no  want  of  care  or  dili* 


■?& 


94 


LETTEBS. 


gence  on  his  part  to  weaken  the  chain  which  bound  them 

together.    And  what  link  so  strong,  so  fitted  to  resist  the 

pressure  of  outward  circumstances,  as  the  adoption  of  a 

common  season  of  prayer?    A  proposal  to  this  effect,  with 

some  suggestions  for  subjects,  is  contained  in  the  next 

letter: — 

"  N'ovember  2S,  lS4i6. 

"  My  deab  W  «  #  #,-^I  miss  you  all  very  much,  and 
feel  the  want  of  a  Christian  companion  in  the  regiment. 
How  precious  in  my  memory  are  those  bright  days  of 
Christian  fellowship  which  we  enjoyed  together!  But  I 
trust  the  Lord  is  teaching  me  (alas !  how  slow  I  am  to 
learn)  to  walk  by  faith,  and  to  be  more  independent  of 
creature-comforts.  Nevertheless,  I  do  esteem  the  privi- 
lege of  Christian  intercourse  very  highly.  I  think  it  has 
done  me  much  good,  in  helping  to  stir  me  up  to  more 
watchfulness  and  earnestness  in  my  walk,  and  I  always 
find  it  cheering  and  comforting  to  my  soul. 

"  You  will  be  interested  in  hearing  of  regimental  mat- 
ters.— ^Would  to  God  I  could  give  you  a  good  report !  Satan, 
I  fear,  has  been  busy  in  rooting  out  from  many  whatever 
good  desires  and  resolutions  may  have  been  produced  from 
the  means  of  grace  at  Halifax ;  «  «  «,  and  «  «  «,  and 
»  »  •  have  been  kept  in  the  faith,  I  rejoice  and  bless 
God  to  say,  while  of  the  rest  I  can  hear  but  little ;  and  I 
fear  no  fruit  has  followed  to  give  evidence  of  any  change 
of  heart  On  the  contrary,  many  have  gone  back  to  the 
ways  of  death.  Of  »  •  «  I  had  some  good  hopes,  but  I 
fear  his  heart  is  yet  in  the  world ;  he  has  been  anxious, 
but  I  think  merely  from  natural  conviction  and  the  voice 
of  eonscience;  utterly  ignorant  of  sin,  and,  therefore,  of  his 


SUBJECTS  FOB  MUTUAL  PRAYER. 


95 


need  of  a  Saviour;  with  some  vagiie  notions  of  turning 
religious,  without  knowing  what  it  means,  or  any  apparent 
desire  to  do  so.  Mrs  H  »  ♦  «  is  going  on  well ;  of  her  it 
may  be  said,  as  of  old  to  the  Church  of  Pergamos— '  I 
know  where  thou  dwellest,  even  where  Satan's  seat  is:* 
but  the  Lord  has  pr<  •3nted  her  from  being  infected  by  the 
evil  around  her,  and  i  rpally  believe  she  is  leaning  on  Him. 
She  is  living  in  a  room  with  five  other  families,  and  a 
hundred  men  cursing  and  swearing  from  morning  till 
night.     What  a  trial  it  must  be  ! 

"  I  have  just  written  toJ«»»F»»»  and  have  pro- 
posed to  him,  that  we  should  meet  around  the  throne  of 
grace  for  mutual  prayer  on  the  1st  of  January  1847. 
That  our  requests  may  be  uniform,  I  have  hinted  at  the 
heads  of  our  prayers,  which,  of  course,  you  can  alter  as  you 
see  fit : — 

"  Thanksgiving  and  praise — 

"  For  the  mercies  of  the  year  past ;  that  we  have  been 
enabled,  by  God's  goodness,  mutually  to  help  one  another 
forward  on  the  way  to  Zion.  That  hitherto  the  Lord  hath 
kept  and  preserved  us  in  the  faith  amidst  so  many  dangers, 
trials,  and  temptations  from  without  and  from  within. 
That  the  Lord  has  called  to  rest  one  of  our  number. 
That  she  fell  asleep  in  Jesus,  and  by  her  peaceful  death, 
bore  testimony  to  the  truth  and  faithfulness  of  God. 

"  Confession — 

"The  sins  of  the  past  year,  both  of  commission  and 
omission ;  our  sloth,  indolence,  unfaithfulness,  and  unfruit- 
f ulness ;  our  neglect  of  duty  and  improving  opportunities 
of  usefulness ;  our  sinful  compliances  with  the  ways  of 
the  world  and  worldly  men  ;  our  inconsistencies,  and  the 


96 


LETIEBS. 


dishonour  to  QoA,  and  blot  in  our  profession  by  such 
acts. 

"  Supplication — 

"  That  we  may  have  grace  to  persevere  unto  the  end. 

"  That  our  faith  may  be  strengthened. 

"  That  ioye  to  God,  and  by  it  love  to  man,  and  to  each 
other  as  brethren,  may  be  deepened  and  increased. 

"  That  we  may  be  humbled. 

"  That  we  may  be  more  faithful  in  confessing  Christ 

"  That  fear  of  man  may  be  rooted  out  of  our  hearts. 

"  That  we  may  be  more  holy  in  life  and  conversation,  and 
for  this  end,  that  the  Holy  Ghost  may  sanctify,  renew,  and 
cleanse  our  hearts,  and  conform  us  to  the  image  of  Jesus. 

"Intercession — 

"  For  each  other  individually. 

*'  For  an  outpouring  of  the  Spirit  on  the  regiment 

"  For  the  faithful  among  the  men.    , 

"  For  the  ungodly  among  the  men. 

"  For  the  backsliders  among  the  men. 

"  For  the  officers. 

"  For  our  own  families,  that  each  of  us  may  be  made  a 
blessing  in  his  own. 

"For  our  Christian  friends  at  Halifax,  especially  ior 
Mr  C  «  «  «  in  his  sickness;  and  for  Dr  T  «  <»  « that 
his  labours  may  be  blessed. 

"  For  the  schools. 

"  These  are  some  of  the  requests  which  should  form  our 
prayer,  and  in  which  we  can  join  with  mutual  interest. 
liCt  us  not  forget  the  tie  that  bound  us  together  when  w^ 
lived  together ;  and  let  us  see  to  it  that  it  is  not  severed 
either  in  time  or  in  eternity.     Soon  we  shall  meet  to  go 


PEAYEE  MEETING. 


97 


oat  no  more.  If  we  live  looking  unto  Jesus,  we  shall 
stand  in  eternity  in  His  preaenca  What  a  hope !  but  it 
is  more  than  a  hope,  for  it  is  founded  on  the  never-failing 
prayer  of  the  Redeemer  Himself,  '  Father,  I  will  that  they 
also  whom  thou  hast  given  me  be  with  me  where  I  am, 
that  they  may  behold  my  glory,  which  thou  hast  given  me; 
for  thou  lovedst  me  before  the  foundation  of  the  world.' 
That  this  may  be  your  and  my  portion  may  God  in  his 
infinite  mercy  grant,  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 
Amen. — Ever  yours^ 

«M.  M.H." 

This  proposal  of  mutual  imion  in  prayer  on  the  com- 
mencement of  the  new  year  was  adopted,  and  we  see 
with  what  delight  and  enjoyment  Captain  Hammond 
refers  to  it  in  the  next  letter,  to  a  brother  officer,  then  in 
England. 

"Jawwary  28,  1847. 
"  My  deab  N  «  *  *, — We  remembered  you  together 
at  the  throne  of  grace  on  the  first  day  of  the  year.  It 
was  a  very  happy  day  to  me;  and  I  would  trust  that  our 
prayers  found  their  way  into  the  presence  of  God,  and 
were  accepted  in  our  great  Intercessor  and  Mediator.  On 
the  same  evening  we  met  at  Mr  W  *  *  ♦  s  school-room, 
in  accordance  with  Mr  Haldane  Stewart's  invitation  to 
prayer.  Mr  W  ♦  ♦  ♦  opened  with  some  prayers  from 
the  Liturgy  and  a  hymn  ;  and  then  a  portion  of  Scripture, 
with  a  few  practical  comments  and  heart-searching  re- 
marks. Next  an  extempore  prayer  for  the  outpouring  of 
the  Holy  Spirit  on  our  country,  and  especially  for  the  con- 
gregation, concluding  with  a  hymn  of  praise.     It  was  one 

G 


98 


LETTEBS. 


of  the  most  enjoyable  meetings  I  ever  was  privileged  to 
attend  Oh  !  how  blessed  will  be  that  time  when  we  join 
with  the  chorus  above,  when  our  voices  shall  mingle  in 
sweet  harmony  with  the  thousand  thousands  of  the  Lord's 
redeemed  ones,  who  cease  not  day  and  night  singing  to 
the  praise  of  the  Lamb  who  bought  them  with  His  blood ! 
.  .  .  Let  us  give  diligence  to  make  our  calling  and  elec- 
tion sure,  l^ere  must  be  no  doubt  about  it,  for  we  have 
only  to  believe  that  the  word  of  Jehovah  cannot  fail,  to 
rest  upon  His  promises,  which  are  all  yea  and  amen  in 
Jesus;  or,  as  it  is  nicely  expressed  in  one  of  Helen 
Plumptre's  letters,  speaking  of  the  life  of  faith,  *  by  man 
called  presumption,  by  Gbd  called  faith ;  or  just  believing 
that  Gk)d  cannot  lia'  I  think  those  are  precious  words 
of  St  Paul's  (1  Cor.  ix.),  *  So  run,  that  ye  may  obtain.  I 
therefore  so  run,  not  as  unceHainly;  so  fight  I,  not  as  one 
that  beateth  the  air/  No,  there  is  no  doubt,  no  uncer- 
tainty in  the  mind  and  will  of  Jesus.  Let  us  only  believe 
this,  and  there  will  be  no  place  found  in  our  hearts  for 
thoughts  so  ungrateful,  so  dishonouring  to  our  Saviour- 
God." 


During  his  stay  at  Montreal,  Maxy  Hammond  interested 
himself  in  endeavouring  to  ameliorate  the  ever  wretched 
circumstances  of  those  soldiers'  wives  who  had  married 
without  leave,  and  he  briefly  alludes  to  them  in  the  next 
letter. 

"Montreal,  i)«cemier  24,  1846. 
"My  dbak  Father,—  ...  My  most  intimate  friend 
is  P  *  •  ♦  of  the  artillery.     I  have  also  a  very  nice 
acquaintance  in  a  Mr  L  «  «  *,  formerly  of  the  navy,  who 


DEATH  OF  AK  OFFICER 


99 


is  staying  for  the  winter  with  Mr  W  «  «  «.  Imagine 
my  delight  this  morning,  in  returning  from  a  fire  in  the 
town,  to  hear  some  one  call  me  by  name,  when,  on  looking 
round,  I  saw  it  was  L  «  «  «.  We  expected  him,  but 
hardly  so  soon.  He  brought  me  the  packet,  for  which 
thank  mother,  and  also  for  Mr  Fym's  little  book,  and 
Uncle  A  «  *  «'s  new  volume  and  his  '  Cottage  Almanack," 
for  which  I  wish  you  to  return  him  my  best  thanks  if  you 
see  him. 

"  I  like  Montreal  daily  more  than  I  did ;  not  that  I 
think  the  place  in  itself  an  agreeable  one,  but  I  have  now 
settled  down  into  more  regular  habits ;  and  my  time  for 
the  most  part  is  taken  up  in  different  ways,  so  that  it 
passes  very  pleasantly.  I  have  been  lately  busy  in  hunt- 
ing out  the  wives  of*  the  soldiers  married  without  leave. 
These  poor  creatures  are  denied  any  indulgence  in  th3  way 
of  rations  or  washing,  and  some  of  them  actually  have  to 
exist  on  threepence  or  fourpence  a  day,  out  of  which  they 
have  to  pay  the  rent  of  the  wretched  pig-sties  in  which 
they  live,  and  perhaps  support  a  child.  How  they  do  live 
is  to  me  a  marvel  We  have  got  up  a  small  subscription 
to  relieve  them,  and  have  given  them  some  start  for  the 
winter. 

"We  are  much  affected  by  the  expected  death  of  a 
young  oflScer  of  the  — th,  who  is  now,  I  fear,  fast  ap- 
proaching his  end.  He  was  taken  ill  about  three  weeks 
ago,  at  that  time  as  hearty  and  strong-looking  a  man  as 
you  could  see.  Nothing  serious  was  anticipated  at  first, 
as  many  people  had  had  the  same  low  fever,  and  it  was 
not  thought  dangerous.  But  the  fever  and  weakness  in- 
creased upon  him,  in  spite  of  all  the  doctors  could  do ;  and 


100 


LETTEBS. 


now,  poor  fellow,  he  is  pronounced  beyond  hopa  I  saw 
him  yesterday  by  permission  of  the  doctora  He  was 
reduced  to  the  utmost  state  of  exhaustion,  but  his  mind 
and  his  faculties  were  left  perfectly  clear.  Poor  fellow ! 
he  had  lived  a  cai'eless  and  ungodly  life,  and  now,  at  the 
eleventh  hour,  he  had  to  seek  his  Saviour.  It  was  a  sad 
and  solemn  scene,  but  he  shewed  an  anxiety  to  embrace 
the  offer  of  salvation,  which,  through  the  mercy  of  Qod,  I 
trust  he  may  find  at  the  last  It  is  also  to  be  hoped  that 
some  of  the  thoughtless  ones  who  were  his  companions 
may  be  aroused ;  but  it  is  astonishing  what  little  effect 
these  things  have  on  the  minds  of  men.  It  must  be  that 
'  the  god  of  this  world  hath  blinded  the  minds  of  them 
that  believe  not'  .  .  . 

"  And  now,  my  dear  father,  good-bye,  best  love  to  all, 
and  a  happy  new  year  to  you.  May  each  succeeding 
year  bring  us  nearer  to  our  heavenly  rest !  It  will  be  a 
blessed  meeting  around  the  throne  of  the  Lamb,  and  there 
we  shall  part  no  more. — ^Your  affectionate  and  grateful 
son,  M.M.H.'' 

The  beginning  of  January  found  Maxy  Hammond  still 
at  Montreal.  There  is  a  peculiar  interest  in  the  following 
allusions  to  the  light  in  which  the  Christian  should  regard 
the  removal  of  those  he  has  loved.  He  writes  to  a 
sister: — 


"  MoNiUBAL,  January  19, 1847. 

"  I  have  but  little  to  tell  you  in  the  shape  of  news. 
You  may  suppose  how  great  a  delight  it  has  been  to  me 
to  have  «  «  «  as  a  companion  opce  more.     Poor  fellow ! 


»'T;-\»»r-TPT-''. 


THE  BEST  PREACHER,  HE  WHO  PREACHES  CHRIST.    101 

the  loss  of  his  dear  wife  is  one  that  nothing  here  can  re- 
pair; but  he  is  wonderfully  cheerful,  and  the  promise  that 
the  Lord  will  be  to  him  more  than  either  father,  mother, 
wife,  or  brother,  seems  to  have  been  literally  fulfilled  in 
him.  He  constantly  speaks  of  her  to  me  not  as  of  one 
who  is  for  ever  gone  from  him,  but  only  separated  for  a 
little  season.  This  is  the  way  in  which  to  regard  the  loss 
of  friends,  and  which  alone  can  effectually  heal  the  wound 
of  such  a  bereavement  as  his.  If  you  could  see  his  calm 
and  happy  countenance  while  speaking  of  her,  you  could 
understand  the  meaning  of  that  case—'  Happy  is  the  man 
whom  the  Lord  correcteth.'  I  know  you  take  an  interest 
in  him  as  my  dearest  friend,  and  it  is  good  also  to  bear 
testimony  to  the  goodness  and  faithfulness  of  God  in 
seasons  of  affliction.  .  ,  .  . — Ever  your  affectionate, 

"  M.  M.  H." 


To  his  youngest  brother,  still  at  Eton,  but  about  to 
enter  at  Oxford,  he  writes: — 

"  In  reading  a  sermon  the  other  day  by  Flavel,  an  old 
divine  of  the  seventeenth  century,  I  met  with  a  simple 
and  excellent  test  by  which  to  prove  the  soundness  or 
unsoundness  of  a  sermon  in  the  present  day.  He  says — 
*  He  is  the  best  preacher  who  can,  in  the  most  lively  and 
powOTful  manner,  display  Jesus  Christ  before  the  people 
— evidently  setting  Him  forth  as  crucified  among  them; 
and  that  is  the  best  sermon  which  is  most  full  of  Christ — 
not  of  art  and  language*  This  was  Paul's  doctrine — *  I 
determined  to  know  nothin^r  among  you,  save  Jesus  Christ 
and  him  crucified.'  .... 

**I  really  feel  very  anxious  for  you  in  your  Oxford 


102 


LETTERS. 


career.  I  know  how  many  temptations  and  snares  are 
likely  to  assail  you  there,  but  I  really  believe  that  the 
work  of  grace  has  been  begun  in  your  heart;  and  if  so, 
we  know  that  '  He  who  has  begun  the  good  work  in  you 
will  also  perform  it  unto  the  day  of  Jesus  Christ'  Re- 
member, dear  Harry,  *  that  no  man  can  serve  two  masters.' 
Religion  must  be  everything  or  nothing  to  a  man.  If  we 
would  serve  the  Lord,  we  must  make  up  our  minds  to  do 
so  fully  and  entirely,  and  most  cheerfully  and  gladly  put 
up  with  the  sneers  and  scoffs  of  those  who  know  not  God, 
and  who  are  ignorant  of  the  blessedness  of  being  recon- 
ciled to  God  through  the  blood  of  Jesus.  We  must  never 
be  ashamed  to  confess  Christ  before  men,  and  must  never 
shrink  from  bearing  the  cross.  Moses  esteemed  the  re- 
proach of  Christ  greater  riches  than  the  treasures  of  Egypt, 
and  chose  *  rather  to  suffer  affliction  with  the  people  of 
God  than  to  enjoy  the  pleasures  of  sin  for  a  season'  (Heb. 
xL) ;  and  so  ought  we.  Read  your  Bible  with  prayer,  and 
pray  much  in  secret  Make  Jesus  your  friend  and  ad- 
viser, to  whom  to  go  for  all  that  you  need,  and  the  peace 
of  God,  which  passeth  all  understanding,  shall  keep  your 
heart  and  mind." 


The  next  letter  alludes  to  the  death  of  a  friend: — 

"  Montreal,  May  6, 1847. 
"  My  dear  J  «  «  «, — ^The  contents  of  your  letter  were 
deeply  interesting  to  L  «  «  «  and  myself,  and  we  did  not 
think  that  any  apology  was  necessary  for  the  account  you 
gave  of  dear  «  «  Vs  last  moments.  Why,  those  few 
particulars  were  more  precious  to  us  than  gold.  Yes ;  it 
was  very  precious  to  us  to  hear  of  our  dear  sister's  dying 


ILLNESS  OF  FRIENDS. 


103 


testimony  to  the  faithfulness  of  God,  and  the  sufficiency 
of  the  blood  of  Jesus  to  give  peace  and  joy  in  the  hour  of 
dissolution.  Oh  that  you  and  I,  dear  J  «  «  «,  may  be 
enabled  to  say,  '  Nothing  but  the  blood  of  Jesus/  when 
our  time  comes  for  putting  ofif  the  earthly  tabernacle! 
We  are  anxious  to  hear  how  L  «  «  «  has  borne  her  heavy 
loss,  for  a  grievous  one  it  must  be  to  her.  But  I  doubt 
not  that  the  Lord  has  been  with  her,  to  support  and  cheer 
her  in  lier  affliction.  Pray,  express  our  sympathy,  ^d 
give  our  kind  regards,  if  you  should  see  her. 

"L  «  «  «  received  your  note  telling  us  of  Mr  C  «  «  «s 
having  rallied.  A  mercy  indeed  it  is  that  the  Lord  should 
spare  his  life  a  little  longer  to  those  to  whom  it  is  dear; 
but  we  cannot  think  that  you  have  any  hope  of  a  perma- 
nent improvement  in  his  health,  after  the  disease  has  gone 
so  deep.  How  wonderful  are  the  ways  of  God,  and  how 
far  beyond  our  poor  weak  understandings !  However,  I 
cannot  imagine  that  any  decided  change  can  take  place 
for  the  better;  and  I  fear  that  this  last  is  but  a  flickering 
in  the  lamp,  as  it  were,  before  going  out.  '  He  has  fought 
a  good  fight,  he  has  finished  his  course,  he  has  kept  the 
faith;  henceforth  there  is  laid  up  for  him  a  crown  of 
righteousness,  which  the  Lord,  the  righteous  Judge,  shall 
give  him  at  that  day.'  L  «  «  «  and  I  would  join  in 
sending  our  warmest  Christian  love  to  him,  with  the 
earnest  prayer  that  the  God  of  all  grace,  the  Father  of 
mercies  and  the  God  of  all  comfort,  may  support  him 
in  all  his  tribulation,  and  continue  to  him  a  rich  supply 
of  His  grace  and  strength,  through  Jesus  Christ.  .... 

"  I  am  truly  glad  to  hear  such  cheering  accounts  of  the 
schools;  also,  that  Dr  T  «  «  «  is  working  so  faithfully. 


104 


LETTERS. 


Our  Saturday  evening  meetings  continue,  by  Qod's  bless- 
ing, to  prosper;  from  a  very  humble  commencement,  our 
number  has  increased  to  ten.  Surely  we  have  ample 
cause  for  gratitude  that  the  Lord  has  blessed  us  in  such 
a  manner. 

"  Once  more,  good-bye.    The  Lord  ever  bless  and  keep 
you  and  yours. — ^Your  sincere  and  affectionate  friend, 

«  M.  M.  H." 


The  next  letter  from  Mazy  Hammond  contains  an  ex- 
tract relating  to  the  last  moments  of  a  lady,  which  sets 
forth  so  vividly  the  triumph  of  faith  over  death,  that  we 
cannot  refrain  from  introducing  it: — 

"  MoNTEEAL,  AprU  21,  1847. 

"  My  DEAB  Mother, — I  am  very  anxious  to 

witness  the  breaking  up  of  the  ice  in  the  river.  I  believe 
it  is  a  magnificent  sight.  You  can  fancy  what  the  effect 
would  be,  when  you  know  that  the  St  Lawrence  is  very 
narrow  just  opposite  Montreal,  with  a  stream  running  six 
or  seven  knots  an  hour.  When  the  ice  above  has  broken 
away,  it  is  carried  on  by  the  current,  until  it  receives  a 
check  in  the  narrow  part  opposite  the  town.  When  it 
reaches  this  it  gets  jammed  up,  so  as  to  form  a  complete 
barrier,  and  all  the  ice  continues  to  push  on  until  it  meets 
the  barrier;  and  it  is  then  thrown  up  into  all  sorts  of 
shapes  in  large  masses,  until  the  weight  behind  forces  all 
before  it,  and  it  floats  away  towards  the  sea.  Some  years 
ago  an  event  occurred,  which  gives  some  idea  of  the 
strength  and  weight  of  this  moving  ice.  A  house  had 
been  built  too  near  the  edge  of  the  river,  the  water  rose 


FAITH  TRIUMPHANT. 


105 


rapidly,  and  the  ice  too:  the  poor  inmates  were  sitting 
at  dinner,  but  before  they  had  time  to  escape,  the  whole 
house  was  carried  down  with  the  torrent,  and  every  soul 
perished 

"  My  friend.  Miss  M  «  «  «,  about  whom  I  wrote,  has 
been  taken  to  her  rest.  The  account  of  her  last  moments 
was  most  interesting  to  me.  I  will  copy  an  extract  of  a 
letter  I  received  from  Halifax: — 

"  'About  half-an-hour  before  she  fell  asleep  the  power 
of  speech  seemed  to  have  been  given  to  her;  she  asked  her 
aunt,  "What  does  the  doctor  say?"  "Why,  dear,  he  does 
not  think  you  will  see  the  morning."  "  Not  see  the  morn- 
ing? die  to-night?  How  short  the  time!  Raise  me  up." 
She  then  had  all  called  about  her,  i.  e.  her  father  and 
sisters.  Her  address  was  principally  to  the  former.  "  This 
can't  be  death,"  she  said,  "  I  feel  no  pain,  nothing,  only  I 
feel  very  cold.  Papa,  it  is  not  by  works  we  are  saved,  it 
is  only  by  the  blood  of  Jesus.  His  work  is  a  finished 
work.  But  you  appear  to  understand  what  I  have  so 
often  told  you.  How  often  have  I  prayed  when  we  were 
all  together  in  church,  that  we  might  also  be  all  together 
in  heaven !"  Her  father  said,  "  You  have  always  been  an 
innocent  and  dutiful  child."  "  Oh,  father,  no !  even  if  so, 
that  could  not  save  me,  it  is  only  the  blood  of  Jesus." 
From  her  voice  and  appearance  her  father  thought  she 
was  better,  and  saiid,  "  You  may  go  by  and  by  to  K  «  «  * 
and  see  T  «  «  *."  "R  ♦  *  ♦!"  she  replied,  "I  am  going 
up,  and  you  may  follow  me."  She  then  said,  "  I  am  very 
sleepy;  lay  me  down,  and  if  I  awake  not  here,  I  shall 
awake  somewhere  else."  She  awoke  not  here,  but  literally 
fell  asleep  in  Jesus,  to  awake  only  with  Him.' 


106 


LETTERa 


"  I  think  you  will  say  that  this  long  extract  is  worth 
being  recited  It  is  very  cheering  and  encouraging  to 
hear  of  these  things,  and  they  are  living  proofs  of  the  truth 
of  God,  that  He  will  be  faithful  to  His  word,  and  that  He 
will  give  peace,  even  on  a  dying  bed,  to  those  that  put  their 
trust  in  Him.  She  was  one  who,  in  her  health  and 
strength,  seemed  to  have  but  one  object  in  view — the 
glory  of  God — and  but  one  motive  and  principle  in  her 
heart — the  love  of  Christ;  and  indeed  her  end  shewed 
thar,  like  Mary,  she  had  'chosen  that  good  part  which 
should  not  be  taken  away  from  her.*  ....  May  God  ever 
bless  and  keep  you ! — ^Ever  your  affectionate  son, 

«  M.  M.  H." 


Some  insight  into  Captain  Hammond's  life  and  cha- 
r«!,cter  at  this  period  is  given  in  the  following  extracts  of 
a  letter  from  Mrs  W  «  «  ♦ : — 

"  In  the  beginning  of  1846  Captain  Hammond  came  to 
Montreal  That  winter,  we  had  a  prayer  meeting  that 
took  place  each  fortnight  at  our  house;  chiefly  attended 
by  the  military,  and  which  sometimes  numbered  over 
twenty.  I  remember  the  first  time  he  was  asked  by  my 
husband  to  take  his  part ;  which  he  did  after  a  little  hesi- 
tation,  and  with  an  earnestness  and  solemnity  wUcli  struck 
us  in  so  young  a  man.  And  frequently  Mr  W.  used  to 
say  to  me,  *  Oh !  if  every  Christian  man  adorned  the  doc- 
trine of  God  his  Saviour  as  Captain  Hammond  does,  in 
walking  circumspectly  and  giving  no  occasion  to  the 
enemy !'....  We  had  very  pleasant  country  quarters  in 
tlie  neighbourhood,  to  which  he  walked  sometimes  to 
bieakfast,  or  in  the  evening,  when  he  was  always  hailed 


ANECDOTE  OF  A  PRIVATE  SOLDIER. 


107 


with  delight,  especially  by  a  little  girl  who  was  living  with 
me,  M.  R,  who  had  some  secret  treasures  of  birds'  nests 
to  shew  him.  This  child  died  afterwards,  but  ever  spoke 
of  him  and  what  he  said  to  her  with  so  much  affection; 
giving  good  hope  that  God  had  blessed  the  nursing  of  the 
good  seed  in  her  young  heai-t.  A  remark  of  his  recalls 
itself  at  this  moment.  He  was  speaking  of  one  in  whom 
we  were  mutually  interested,  and  he  said,  *I  should  be 
more  satisfied  if  I  saw  a  deeper  conviction  of  sin.  But 
why  should  I  set  up  a  standard,  when  I  remember  how 
God  dealt  with  me?  It  was  so  gradual,  that  not  until  I 
had  been  drawn  to  the  Saviour  by  cords  of  love,  did  I  know 
or  feel  anything  of  the  bitterness  of  sin.' " 

During  the  time  that  Captain  Hammond  was  at  Mon- 
treal, his  attention  was  drawn  to  a  private  in  the  Rifles, 
named  M  «  «  «,  who  was  dying  of  consumption  in  the 
hospital  From  his  teaching  this  poor  man  heard  and 
drank  in  the  glad  tidings  of  salvation  in  Christ  Jesus. 
"  Speedily"  (we  quote  the  words  of  a  comrade),  "  the  sick 
man  rejoiced  in  the  full  assurance  of  his  acceptance;  and 
sending  for  comrade  after  comrade,  not  only  proclaimed 
the  good  news,  but  urged  each  and  all  to  hasten  to  the 
loving  Saviour."  The  fatal  disease  went  on.  In  the  weary 
sleepless  night,  as  the  patient  tossed  upon  his  pillow,  the 
stillness  was  broken  by  the  sentry's  challenge,  and  the 
familiar  "All's  well"  fell  on  his  ear.  The  dying  soldier 
looked  up — "All  is  well!"  he  said — "All  is  well!"  he 
faintly  repeated.  A  very  short  time  after  the  "Dead 
March  in  Saul"  was  heard;  and  a  funeral  party  with  arms 
reversed  passed  along  the  streets  of  Montreal. — Ail  was 
well  with  M 


«  «  «. 


108 


LETTERa 


r  Another  private  of  the  Rifles  thus  alludes  to  M  «  «  **.. 
death :  "You  will  have  heard  of  the  death  of.M  «  «  «. 
Oh !  he  was  truly  happy !  And  what  do  you  think  it  arose 
from  first?  Captain  Hammond  took  him  into  the  surgery, 
and  there  knelt  down  and  prayed  for  and  with  him.  He 
said  until  that  took  place  he  never  thought  of  praying,  or 
if  he  had,  he  would  not  have  done  so.  But  when  he  saw 
a  gentleman  was  not  ashamed  to  kneel  with  a  private 
soldier,  he  said,  surely  he  need  not  be  ashamed  of  kneel- 
ing by  his  bedside,  where  all  were  his  equals,  and  from 
that  time  he  was  continually  holding  communion  with  his 
God.  He  was  repeatedly  speaking  to  S  ♦  ♦  *,  and  all 
the  others  too,  and,  in  fact,  made  them  promise  to  com- 
mence a  new  life.  He  said  to  them,  '  Men  may  laugh  at 
you,  but  they  can't  strike  you.' " 

The  earnest  tone  of  exhortation,  and  the  measure  of 
solemn  truthfulness,  the  expression  of  a  deep  consciousness 
of  the  arduous  nature  of  the  Christian  warfare,  can  hardly 
fail  to  commend  itself  to  the  reader  of  the  following  letter. 
It  is  addressed  to  an  old  brother  officer  and  very  intimate 
friend,  who  had  become  a  soldier  of  the  cross,  almost  con- 
temporaneously with  Maxy  Hammond : — 


"To  Captain  W  «  «  ♦, — 

"28th  June, 'i84!7. 

"  My  dear  W  ♦  ♦  ♦, — I  am  now  beginning  to  realise 
more  fully  that  you  now  no  longer  belong  to  the  Rifle 
Brigade.  Until  now  it  had  appeared  as  if  you  were  only 
on  leave.  But  I  begin  to  feel  that  our  separation  is  com- 
plete. But  oh  I  what  a  blessing  and  comfort  it  is  to  feel 
that,  though  some  thousands  of  miles  are  between  us,  we 


PATIENT  CONTINUANCE. 


109 


can  be  very  near  in  spirit !  Even  now  my  thoughts  are  with 
you,  while  I  am  writing  this.  I  can't  tell  you  how  much 
I  prize  your  letters,  or  how  much  I  enjoy  receiving  them. 
St  John  said,  that  he  had  no  greater  joy  than  to  see  that 
his  children  were  walking  in  the  truth ;  and  I  am  sure  I 
can  say,  I  have  great  joy  in  hearing  the  same  thing  of  my 
brethren  in  Christ.  I  delight  to  think  of  dear  friends  as 
part  of  the  one  family  of  whom  Jesus  is  the  Head  and 
Elder  Brother.  Now  we  are  separated  from  one  another  and 
scattered  to  the  four  winds  of  heaven.  But  still  we  know 
and  feel  that  we  belong  to  the  family,  although  so  dis- 
persed. Soon  will  the  Father  gather  us  all  home.  Soon 
shall  we  sit  down  together  at  the  marriage-supper.  Would 
it  not  cheer  us  in  our  pilgrimage,  if  we  could  more  faith 
fully  look  forward  to  this  blessed  reunion?  Would  it  not 
assist  us  in  walking  with  a  lighter  and  brisker  step,  and 
would  it  not  urge  us  to  press  towards  the  mark  more  ear- 
nestly and  more  vigorously?  I  don't  know  how  it  is  with 
you,  but  I  have  found  it  most  difficult  to  maintain  that 
earnest,  patient  walk  by  faith,  which,  as  consistent  Chris- 
tians, it  is  necessary  that  we  should  daily  follow. 

"  I  was  much  struck  with  a  remark  in  one  of  dear  Mrs 
L  «  «  « s  letters,  which  explains  what  I  mean.  She 
says,  'The  promise  of  eternal  life  is  to  them  who,  by 
patient  continuance  in  well-doing,  seek  for  glory,*  &c. 
She  adds,  *  It  is  just  this  patient  continuance  which  I  find 
so  difficult.  The  humility,  and  patience,  and  self-denial, 
to  bu  practised  day  by  day,  is  what  is  so  hard  to  perform.' 
I,  too,  can  most  feelingly  respond  to  these  observations  of 
our  Christian  friend.  It  seems  to  me  the  most  difficult 
part  of  our  Christian  course.  The  Scripture  speaks  of  this  in 


110 


LETTERS. 


many  places :  '  Abide  in  me ;'  *  If  ye  continue  in  the  faith ;' 
*  Be  thou  faithful  unto  death,  and  I  will  give  thee  a  crown 
of  life;'  *He  that  overcometh ;'  with  many  others  shew- 
ing the  same  thing.  It  would  be  very  easy  to  be  very 
religious,  very  zealrus,  very  earnest  for  a  little  season,  or 
now  and  then  only.  But  this  religion  is  not  the  religion 
of  Jesus.  The  cross  must  be  taken  up  daily.  Self-denial 
must  be  habitual  Prayer  and  watchfulness  must  be  with- 
out ceasing.  Sin  must  be  striven  against  constantly.  Satan 
must  be  resisted  at  all  times  and  in  all  places.  Love  in 
its  broadest  sense,  and  faith,  must  be  an  habitual  exercise. 
The  Christian  must  never  lay  aside  his  armour,  nor  quit 
the  contest  until  the  victory  is  gained.  Surely  then  he 
has  '  need  of  patience  to  run  the  race  that  is  set  before  him, 
looking  unto  Jesus.* 

"  You  will  have  heard  of  Mr  C  «  «  *8  death  ere  this 
reaches  you.  I  have  heard  ho  particulars  as  yet,  but  I 
doubt  not  he  departed  in  peace,  bearing  testimony  to  the 
faithfulness  of  that  God  and  Saviour  in  whom  he  put  his 
trust.  .... 

"  The  regiment  is  woefully  dark  in  spiritual  things,  and 
abounding  in  vice  and  drunkenness.  The  school  is  getting 
on  pretty  well ;  one  child,  S««*F«iii*,  is,  I  think, 
taught  of  God.  .... 

"The  emigrants  are  pouring  in  here  by  thousands; 
bringing  in  their  train,  misery,  starvation,  iilthiness,  disease, 
and  death.  The  deaths  average  twenty  a-day — typhus 
fever. 

"And  now,  dear  W  «  ♦  ♦,  adieu;  the  Iiord  bless  you, 
and  make  you  a  blessing. — Your  friend  and  brother  in 
Christ,  M.  M.  Hammond." 


EMIGRANT  FEVER. 


ill 


CHAPTER  VIII. 


Emigrant  Jfikr. 


"  What  various  scenes,  and  oh !  what  scenes  of  woe. 
Does  morn  awaken  with  her  struggling  beam  t 

The  fever'd  patient,  from  his  pallet  low> 
Through  crowded  hospital  beholds  it  stream; 

The  debtor  wakes  to  thoughts  of  gyve  and  jail ; 
The  love-lorn  wretch  starts  from  tormenting  dream; 

The  wakeful  mother,  by  the  glimmering  pale. 

Trims  her  sick  infant's  couch,  and  soothes  his  feeble  wail." 


SOOTT. 


The  year  1847  was  one  marked  by  h6avy  judgments  and 
distress  of  nations.  Foremost  among  them  in  woe  stood 
unhappy  Ireland.  "Through  the  wrath  of  the  Lord  of 
hosts,  the  land  was  darkened,  and  the  people  became  as 
the  fuel  of  the  fire."  In  the  morning  her  cry  went  up, 
"Would  God  it  were  evening!''  at  even,  "  Would  God  it 
were  morning!"  Desolate,  in  her  straitness  and  in  her 
distress,  she  poured  forth  her  children  from  her  unhappy 
shores  to  seek  for  rest  in  another  land.  Upon  her  the 
awful  judgment  pronounced  against  Jerusalem  seemed 
almost  to  have  fallen — "  Though  Moses  and  Samuel  stood 
before  me,  yet  my  mind  could  not  be  towards  this  people: 
cast  them  out  of  my  sight,  and  let  them  go  forth.  And  it 
•hall  come  to  pass,  if  they  say  unto  thee,  Whither  shall 


■»! 


112 


EMIGRANT  FEVER. 


we  go  forth?  then  thou  shalt  tell  them,  Thus  saith  the 
Lord,  Such  as  are  for  death,  to  death;  and  such  as  are  for 
the  famine,  to  the  famine.  ....  Thou  hast  forsaken  me, 
saith  the  Lord,  thou  art  gone  backward:  therefore  will  I 
stretch  out  my  hand  against  thee;  I  am  weary  with  repent- 
ing." Yet  not  by  flight  was  the  chastisement  to  be  escaped. 
The  fatal  poison  circulated  in  the  frames  of  these  devoted 
people,  and  lurked  in  the  rags  that  hung  about  their  wan 
and  wasted  forms.  With  the  arrival  of  the  first  emi- 
grant ship  at  Grosse  Isle,  the  scourge  appeared  anew; 
(ind  some  idea  of  the  miserable  condition  of  these  unfor- 
tunate people  may  be  gathered  from  the  following  de- 
scription : — 

"  Montreal,  June  28,  1847. 

"  The  poor  emigrants  have  been  passing  up  the  country 
for  the  last  three  weeks.  Death,  disease,  starvation,  and 
misery,  seem  to  be  the  unmerciful  attendants  of  these 
people  wherever  they  go.  The  deaths  at  Grosse  Isle  (the 
quarantine  station)  have  been  very  numerous,  averaging 
from  sixty  to  eighty  daily.  Here,  too  (at  Montreal),  want 
and  typhus  are  carrying  them  off  like  sheep.  Whole  fami- 
lies, in  several  instances,  have  been  swept  away,  leaving 
perhaps  one  to  tell  the  tale.  They  send  them  as  quickly 
as  possible  up  the  country;  but  it  is  the  opinion  of  the 
principal  medical  man  who  attends  them,  that  not  more 
than  one-half  will  ever  reach  their  journey's  end.  Is  it 
not  sad  ?  These  poor  creatures  are  living  in  sheds  that 
have  been  roughly  put  together  for  this  purpose.  None 
but  the  sick  are  allowed  to  remain  above  a  day  or  two. 
These  sheds  are,  in  fact,  so  many  hospitals  crowded  vr-xh 


THE  FEVER  SHEDa 


113 


sick;  so  crowded  are  they,  as  to  be  obliged  to  put  three 
in  a  bed. 

"  I  went  once  to  see  these  places  (we  have  since  been 
forbidden  to  go  near  them),  and  never  shall  I  forget  the 
sight.  The  room  I  saw  was  crowded  with  these  poor 
creatures,  some  of  them  lying  two  in  a  bed.  They  were 
in  every  stage  of  disease,  from  those  who  just  came  in,  to 
those  who  were  on  the  point  of  expiring.  Outside  the 
door  was  a  pile  of  cofi&ns  of  different  sizes,  all  ready  to 
receive  the  dead.  Two  were  nailed  up  waiting  for  the 
dead-cart  to  carry  them  off;  and  all  this  in  sight  of  the 
patients.  The  doctor  begged  me  to  walk  through  the 
other  wards,  where  the  worst  cases  were,  but  I  declined. 
The  grey  nuns  were  wonderful  in  their  energy  and  activity. 
The  doctor  said  that  one  of  them  was  worth  six  of  our 
women.  I  have  told  you  this,  that  you  may  know  what 
is  going  on  at  Montreal  with  regard  to  the  ill-fated  Irish. 
Don't  fear  my  catching  the  fever.  I  am  not  going  near 
the  sheds  again — ^being  forbidden — even  if  I  wished  it. 

"  And  now,  my  dearest  mother,  good-bye.  I  delight  to 
think  of  you  all,  and  particularly  before  the  throne  of 
grace.  I  need  not  ask  you  to  do  likewise. — ^Ever  your 
affectionate  son,  M.  M.  H." 


To  these  scenes  of  suffering  many  noble-hearted  men 
hastened.  The  minister  of  Christ  was  there,  to  speak  of 
One  who,  at  that  hour  of  death,  could  bestow  the  gift  of 
eternal  life.  The  sister  of  mercy  was  there,  to  lift  to  the 
parched  lips  the  cup  of  cold  water,  that  should  "  by  no 
means  lose  its  reward."  The  faithful  servant  of  Christ  was 
there,  who,  for  his  Master's  sake,  cheerfully  volunteered, 

H 


114 


EMIGRANT  F£V£B. 


and  yielded  his  life  in  a  service  not  less  perilous  than  the 
plain  of  Balaklava  or  the  fatal  Redan. 

Maxy  Hammond  was  very  early  precluded  from  sharing 
in  these  labours,  by  a  stringent  order  which  prohibited 
any  officer  from  visiting  the  sheds,  lest  the  infection 
should  be  communicated  to  the  troops.  Nevertheless, 
though  prohibited  from  attending  himself,  he  aided  the 
sufferers,  as  far  as  possible,  both  by  providing  them  with 
necessaries,  and  by  making  arrangements  for  their  com- 
fort. A  noble  trait  was  shewn,  on  this  occasion,  by  the 
men.  The  various  companies  kept  back  daily  a  propor- 
tion of  their  rations  for  the  use  of  the  sick;  and  this 
example  was  followed  by  the  52d  Regiment,  and  two  com- 
panies of  artillery,  then  in  the  garrison;  the  officers  pro- 
viding a  cart  for  the  conveyance  and  distribution  of  the 
meat  among  the  sick. 

"  The  French  people,"  writes  a  private  rifleman,  "  when 
they  met  Captain  Hammond  in  the  streets,  hearing  of  his 
kindness  to  the  poor,  would  uncover  their  heads,  and  in- 
voke blessings  upon  him."  Four  years  afterwards,  when 
a  rifleman  was  in  the  market-place  at  Kingston,  some 
country  people,  observing  the  uniform,  came  up  and  in- 
quired of  the  wearer  whether  the  same  kind  officer  was 
still  in  the  regiment  who  had  saved  their  lives  at  Montreal. 

One  by  one,  those  whose  duty  and  zeal  led  them  to  the 
fever-sheds,  were  stricken  themselves,  and  among  them 
two  of  Maxy  Hammond's  own  friends ;  and  at  their  bed- 
sides, night  after  night,  for  a  long  and  harassing  period, 
he  watched  and  nursed  them  with  a  brother's  tenderness 
and  love.  The  two  friends  who  sickened  were  Mr  L  «  «  «, 
of  H.  M.  Royal  Navy,  and  Mr  W  «  «  «,  the  clergyman 


"X-- 


THE  FEVER  SPREADS. 


115 


of  Montreal.     Maxy  alludes  to  their  illness,  in  a  letter 
dated  July  20,  1847:— 


"  My  dear  Father, — .  ....  I  fear  my  note  to  you 
by  the  last  mail  may  haie  caused  you  some  anxiety. 
Thanks  be  to  God,  I  am  in  no  way  the  worse  for  my 
attendance  on  my  sick  Mends.  You  will  see  an  account 
of  their  death  in  the  'Berean*  I  send.  Upon  the  arrival  of 
the  emigrants,  Mr  W  «  «  «  organised  a  small  band  from 
among  his  congregation  to  attend  to  the  wants,  temporal 
and  spiritual,  of  the  sick  and  dying  at  the  emigrant  sheds. 
They  were  indefatigable  in  their  exertions,  until,  one  by 
one,  they  caught  the  fever  raging  among  these  unhappy 
people.  Mr  L  «  «  «  was  the  first  who  was  laid  up.  His 
illness  lasted  thirteen  days,  and  ended  in  his  death.  During 
this  time  I  was  constantly  with  him,  by  day  and  night, 
until  his  removal  Mr  W  «  «  «  was  taken  ill  about 
three  days  after  Mr  L  «  »  «,  and  died  about  three  days 
after  Mr  L  «  «  «.  I  was  with  him  during  the  last  three 
days  of  his  illness.  Of  the  rest  of  the  party  who  visited 
the  sheds,  one  more  died,  and  three  more  caught  the  fever, 
but  are  recovering.  The  dispensation  is  a  heavy  one,  and 
is  deeply  felt  by  the  congregation.  It  appears  strange 
that  these  men  should  be  taken  away  in  the  midst  of 
usefulness,  falling  victims  to  their  devotedness  to  their 
Master's  cause,  and  their  love  to  their  fellow-creatures. 
We  can  only  say,  *  It  is  the  Lord,  let  him  do  what  seem- 
eth  him  good/  Both,  however,  died  in  the  full  and  cer- 
tain hope  of  the  resurrection  to  eternal  life,  through  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ;  and,  therefore,  the  loss  is  ours,  not 
theirs — for  *  it  is  better  to  depart,  and  be  with  Christ.* 


116 


EMIGRANT  FEVER. 


"  Littledid  we,  on  this  side  the  Atlantic,  think  last  winter, 
that  we  should  suffer  in  common  with  the  pv>or  Irish. 
But  it  has  proved  an  awful  summons  to  the  Canadian 
cities,  and  we  cannot  feel  but  that  the  hand  of  God  is 
stretched  out  against  us,  calling  loudly  to  us  to  consider 
our  way&  All  here  suffered  alike,  Protestants,  Koman 
Catholics,  ministers,  Roman  Catholic  priests,  under  the 
heavy  scourge ;  while  the  fatal  infection  has  been  carried 
into  the  very  heart  of  the  cities.  .  .  .  . — Ever  your  affec- 
tionate son,  M.  M.  H."' 

In  a  sermon,  preached  at  Trinity  Church,  Montreal,  the 
following  testimony  is  borne  to  the  "  martyr's  spirit"  mani- 
fested by  these  few  friends  who,  with  Maxy,  attended  Mr 
W  «  «  •  in  his  last  illness : — 

"  No  small  portion  of  the  martyr's  spirit  is  required  to 
face  infectious  and  malignant  disease ;  to  look  upon  the 
agonies  of  the  dying ;  to  behold  their  fearful  straggles  and 
contortions,  and  listen  to  their  delirious  lavings.  No 
small  portion  of  the  martyr's  spirit  is  required  to  witness 
these  proofs  of  intense  and  sudden  suffering,  to  feel  around 
the  breath  of  death,  to  know  that  you  are  braving  him, 
as  it  were,  in  the  midst  of  his  kingdom,  and  that  in  a 
moment  you  may  be  one  amidst  the  raving  and  the  dying. 
No  small  portion  of  this  spirit  is  required  to  witness  and 
to  know  all  this ;  and  yet  calmly  and  fearlessly  to  go  on 
with  duty,  resolutely  and  perseveringly  to  enter  the  abode 
of  infection  and  minister  to  the  wants  of  the  dying ;  to 
see  it  fastening  upon  and  pulling  down  one  after  another 
of  those  who,  in  their  career  of  benevolence  and  duty,  dare 


f  J  mV  JX'AMBJiUilllUBWBlWBBitf^'- 


»»iW-i(^?W-np^W*I!C»|7  T-»,^i.''™»-l^^5illj>l   w 


SELF-DEVOTION. 


il7 


its  power;  and  yet  to  persist  in  lifting  the  cup  of  wat  to 
the  parched  lip,  in  alleviating  the  sufferings  of  the  wretched, 
in  kneeling  by  their  side,  and  telling  them  of  the  mercy  of 
God  and  the  all-sufficiency  of  Jesus.  It  is  not  an  easy 
matter  thus  to  act  in  the  midst  of  all  this  danger  and 
death,  and  without  any  earthly  motives  to  prompt  to  the 
self-devotion  and  the  sacrifice.  We  can  see  sufficient 
moving  power  only  in  the  spirit  of  the  gospel  and  the 
love  of  God." 

A  note  states  that  the  death  of  Mr  W  «  «  «  had  been 
followed  by  that  of  four  other  clergymen  of  the  diocese, 
tlie  Rev.  W.  C  «  *  ♦,  the  Rev.  Dr  D  ♦  ♦  ♦,  the  Rev.  C. 
M  ♦  ♦  «,  the  Rev.  R  A  «  «  «.  All  died  of  typhus  fever, 
contracted  in  attendance  at  the  emigrant  sheds.  Soon 
after  the  publication  of  this  sermon,  the  death  of  the  Rev. 
W.  T  ♦  ♦  «  followed,  from  the  same  cause;  in  all,  with 
the  Rev.  Mr  W  ♦  *  «,  six  clergymen. 

In  connexion  with  Captain  L  «  «  «'s  death,  an  inte- 
resting incident  is  related  in  a  letter  from  Mrs  W  *  «  «: — 

"  I  remember  we  were  sitting  round  the  fire  after  having 
sung  the  hymn,  *  Not  all  the  blood  of  beasts,'  to  an  old 
minor  tune.  Captain  L  «  «  «  said  to  Captain  Hammond, 
*  I  have  a  curious  fancy  concerning  that  hymn.  I  should 
like  it  sung  by  six  young  men  as  they  lower  me  into  the 
grave.'  We  little  thought  that  it  would  so  soon  be  put  into 
execution,  for  it  had  passed  from  my  mind,  until  Captain 
Hammond  mentioned  having  carried  out  his  wish." 

A  little  later,  Maxy  Hammond,  writes  from  Toronto, 

August  26,  1847:—  nm 


118 


EMIGRANT  F£V£R. 


"  My  deab  Mother, —  .  .  .  Here  the  fever  sheds  are 
in  the  centre  of  the  town ;  about  six  hundred  are  sick, 
and  you  may  see  them,  as  you  pass,  lying  in  their  beds 
within  a  few  feet  of  the  road-side.  The  disease  is  confined 
almost  entirely  to  the  poor  emigrants  themselves,  and, 
through  mercy,  has  not  extended  itself  to  the  town's 
people.  The  great  thing  to  keep  off  the  infection  seems 
to  be  cleanliness  and  ventilation ;  and  that  they  have  tho- 
roughly established." 

The  fever  continued  during  September.  He  says  on 
the  22d  :— 

"  The  emigrant  fever  has  not  begun  to  abate,  though, 
perhaps,  it  is  not  so  violent  as  during  the  dog-days.  I 
fear  it  will  continue  till  the  winter  sets  in.  I  have  to 
mention  the  loss  of  another  friend,  Mr  D  «  «  «  of  St 
John's.  He  also  died  of  typhus  contracted  during  his 
attendance  on  the  emigrants.  I  send  you  a  paper  contain- 
ing a  faithful  sketch  of  his  character.'' 

On  the  same  subject  he  says,  in  a  letter  to  an  old 
brother  officer: — 


"Toronto,  August  25,  184(7. 

"  My  dear  W  «  *  ♦, — You  may  perhaps  have  heard 
from  L  «  «  «,  or  seen  in  the  papers,  that  disease  has 
been  committing  its  ravages  to  a  fearful  extent  in  Mon- 
treal; chiefly  among  the  miserable  emigrants;  but  also 
among  those  faithful  few  who  have  hazarded  their  lives 
for  the  sake  of  ministering  to  the  wants  of  the  sick  i.nd 


^ 


^M  rfgj»fj-^.-TiiiM|wlwWIIWMW'fe''''*''»»'^^'-  ■•t^^i*-'- 


BELF-DEVOnOK. 


119 


dying.  Amongst  these,  two  very  dear  friends  of  ours,  Mr 
W  «  «  «  and  Mr  L  «  •  «,  fell  victims  to  their  zeal  and 
love.  Mr  L  «  «  «  was  the  life  of  our  little  band;  full  of 
love,  and  faith,  arid  zeal  for  the  cause  of  God.  He  was 
one  of  those  bright  ones  who,  like  Henry  Martyn,  seemed 
to  realise  in  a  it  \  ore  than  ordinary  degree  the  depth  and 
height,  the  breadth  and  length  of  the  love  of  Christ :  and 
whose  heart  seemed  at  all  times  to  be  filled  with  holy  joy 
and  affection.  It  was  his  meat  and  drink  to  do  his  Mas- 
ter's will  Soon  after  the  arrival  of  the  emigrants  he 
became  deeply  interested  in  their  pitiable  condition,  and 
used  to  spend  whole  days  at  the  sheds,  administering  food 
and  medicine,  listening  to  their  tale  of  sorrow,  and  giving 
advice  or  assistance,  as  it  lay  in  his  power.  For  some 
weeks  he  continued  exerting  himself  indefatigably  in  this 
manner,  until  at  last  he  himself  caught  the  fever,  and  was 
laid  upon  a  bed  of  sickness,  from  which  he  never  rose.  It 
was  my  privilege  to  be  with  him  constantly  day  and  night 
(except  when  obliged  to  take  a  little  rest)  from  the  com- 
mencement of  his  illness  till  his  death ;  and  I  feel  how  high 
an  honour  it  was  to  be  permitted  to  give  the  cup  of  cold 
water  to  a  dear  brother  for  Christ's  sake.  At  first  we  were 
not  seriously  apprehensive  about  him ;  but  day  by  day  the 
symptoms  grew  more  alarming,  until  at  length  all  hope 
was  abandoned,  and  he  sank  into  his  eternal  rest,  after 
having  been  thirteen  days  ill.  It  was  a  trying  time,  and 
one  which,  I  pray  God,  I  may  never  forget.  But  we  did 
not  sorrow  as  those  without  hope,  for  we  knew  that  his 
death  was  but  the  entrance  to  eternal  life. 

"  Almost  at  the  same  time  that  Mr  L  «  «  «  was  taken 
ill,  Mr  W  ♦  ♦  ♦  was  also  laid  by.     At  first  the  medical 


120 


EMIGRANT  FEVER. 


men  were  quite  sanguine ;  but,  alas !  their  hopes  proved 
false,  and  he  followed  his  friend  and  companion  L  «  «  « 
within  three  days.  I  was  with  him  during  the  last  three 
days;  but  he  was  then  quite  delirious,  and  did  not  once 
speak.  He  also  contracted  the  fever  by  attending  the 
poor  emigrants. 

"The  next  death  was  poor  Colonel  B  «  «  «  (Rifle 
Brigade).  I  have  no  doubt  L  «  «  «  has,  or  will,  send 
you  full  particulars  of  this  his  joyful  death.  And  lastly, 
the  death  of  poor  ♦  «  «,  cut  off  in  the  flower  of  his  days. 
His  death  made  a  slight  impression  at  the  time ;  but,  like 
the  early  dew  and  the  morning  cloud,  it  soon  passed  away, 
and  is  now,  to  all  appearances,  almost  forgotten. 

"But  enough  of  these  tales  of  death  and  woe.  .... 
Let  us  continue  to  pray  for  one  another,  and  let  us,  in  the 
strength  of  Christ,  hold  fast  the  profession  of  our  faith 
without  wavering,  and  endeavour  to  get  nearer  to  God 
and  enjoy  more  uninterrupted  communion  with  Him. — 
Your  affectionate  friend  in  the  Lord  Jesus, 

"M.  M.  Hammond." 

The  following  account  of  the  last  hours  of  Mr  L  «  «  * 
were  written,  at  the  request  of  a  friend,  shortly  after  this 
by  Maxy  Hammond : — 

"Montreal,  ISth  July,  1847. 

"  It  was  my  painful  privilege  to  be  much  with  our  dear 
friend  during  his  illness  until  his  removal.  During  that 
time  but  little  passed  between  us  in  the  way  of  conversa- 
tion, as  directions  had  been  given  by  his  medical  atten- 
dants, that  he  should  not  be  spoken  to  more  than  was 


MB  L   «    «    « S  ILLNESS. 


121 


necessary.  But  there  are  a  few  remarks  which  were  made 
during  the  time  he  possessed  his  reason,  which,  I  cannot 
but  think,  will  be  found  very  precious,  by  those  who  knew 
and  loved  him,  and  who  are  left  to  mourn  his  loss ;  as 
they  serve  to  shew  the  quiet  peace,  and  cahn  composure, 
which  he  possessed  in  the  midst  of  much  bodily  pain  and 
suffering,  resting  on  the  promises  of  God,  and  relying, 
with  f  uU  confidence,  on  the  finished  work  of  Christ. 

"  I  did  not  see  our  dear  friend  until  three  days  after  the 
commencement  of  his  sickness ;  not  having  heard  that  he 
was  ill.  On  Friday,  July  2,  I  visited  him  for  the  first 
time,  and  had  a  lengthened  conversation  with  him,  chiefly 
with  regard  to  his  temporal  affairs.  On  my  entering  his 
room,  he  stretched  out  his  arm,  and  taking  me  by  the 
hand,  said,  'Well !  you  see  I  am  laid  by:  it  is  the  Lord.' 
After  answering  a  few  questions  about  his  illness,  we 
spoke  of  religion.  He  seemed  deeply  to  feel  what  he  said ; 
clasping  his  hands  together,  he  repeated  very  slowly,  *I 
hope  I  am  not  deceiving  myself,  I  hope  I  am  not  deceiving 
myself,  but  I  know  that  I  am  a  poor  sinner.'  I  remarked, 
'  What  a  blessed  thing  it  is  to  feel  that,  and  to  be  enabled 
to  look  to  Jesus  for  pardon  and  salvation ! '  *  Yes,'  he  re- 
plied, *  What  should  I  do  without  Christ  now  ? '  with 
great  emphasis.  I  then  mentioned  the  remark  of  a  friend 
of  mine,  now  gone  to  her  rest,  who,  on  her  death-bed,  said, 
'This  is  no  time  to  seek  the  Saviour;  I  thank  God  I  have 
found  Him.'  *  Yes,'  said  he,  "  Whom  having  not  seen  we 
love.'"  I  finished  the  verse.  He  interrupted  me,  saying, 
'No,  I  have  no  joy,  no  rejoicing ;  but  I  am  quite  con- 
tent, quite  resigned.'  I  said,  *  I  was  thinking  on  my  way 
here  of  that  verse  which  you  mentioned  once  to  nie  as 


i-^m' 


122 


EMIGRANT  FEVER. 


having  given  you  comfort  for  several  days  on  a  former 
occasion;  it  was,  "  In  the  multitude  of  my  thoughts  within 
me  thy  comforts  delight  my  soul"  (Ps.  xciv.  19)/  *  Well,' 
he  replied,  'it  is  the  paucity  of  my  thoughts  now ;  but 
there  is  one  verse  which  I  have  found  very  precious.'  I 
asked  what  it  was.  *  Into  thy  hands  I  commit  my  spirit. 
Thou  hast  redeemed  me,  0  Lord  God  of  truth.'  *  There' 
he  said,  *  is  my  comfort  and  my  hope — the  truth  of  God. 
The  covenant  is  based  upon  that  truth,  and  is  "well  or- 
dered in  all  things,  and  sure."'  Speaking  of  death  and  the 
prospect  of  separation  from  his  wife  and  family,  he  said, 
*  In  a  worldly  point  of  view,  it  appears  of  great  importance 
for  my  family's  sake  that  I  should  live ;  but  I  bless  God 
I  have  not  a  care  or  an  anxious  thought  on  the  subject; 
I  can  commit  all  into  His  hands/ 

"  From  this  time  to  the  time  of  his  death,  I  spoke  but 
little  to  him  except  when  necessary.  But  there  are  several 
remarks,  at  different  intervals,  which  spoke  the  Christian 
principle  within,  and  which  shone  so  highly  in  his  whole 
walk  and  conversation  during  health,  to  the  praise  of  the 
grace  of  God.  He  seemed  deeply  sensible  of  the  kindness 
of  his  friends  and  the  attention  shewn  him ;  frequently 
thanking  them,  and  apologising  for  giving  trouble.  On 
one  occasion,  when  he  required  a  handkerchief,  I  gave  him 
mine;  he  said  *God  is  love;  and  he  that  dwelleth  in  love 
dwelleth  in  God,  and  God  in  him,  and  His  love  was  mani- 
fested in  His  sending  His  Son  to  die  for  sinners.'  At 
another  time,  he  seemed  sorry  to  oive  me  trouble,  and 
said,  *  But  it  is  for  the  sake  of  Him  who  said  "  I  thirst ! '" 
Once,  when  rendering  him  some  assistance,  he  said,  *  Dear 
brother,  the  Lord  brought  us  together  that  you  might  be 


i  I 


MB  L   «  HI   « S  DEATH. 


123 


indth  me  now;*  and  again,  '  How  shall  I  repay  this  kind- 
ness?— I  cannot,  but  God  can;  He  has,  for  He  has  given 
you  His  best  gift,  eternal  life/  Once,  when  much  wearied 
with  pain  and  restlessness,  he  said,  '  0  that  I  had  wings 
like  a  dove !  and  then  would  I,  a  poor  sinner,  through  the 
grace  of  Christ,  flee  away,  and  be  at  rest/  Making  men- 
tion of  his  wife,  he  said,  *  Oh !  if  my  dear  wife  was  here, 
how  sad  she  would  be  !  but  I  think  it  was  in  the  path  of 
duty,  looking  after  those  poor  people/  I  remarked,  *  The 
Lord's  way  is  often  in  the  sea;'  'Yes,'  he  replied,  'He 
doeth  as  He  willeth  in  heaven  and  in  earth/  Once,  when 
very  weak,  I  heard  him  say  with  regard  to  his  family,  *  It 
is  very  important  that  I  should  live;  but,  0  Lord  Jesus, 
forgive  my  sins,  and  if  it  be  Thy  holy  will,  receive  me  to 
Thyself/  This  was,  I  think,  the  last  thing  he  said  during 
his  reason.  For  the  last  four  or  five  days  he  became 
delirious,  and  for  two  days  previous  to  his  death  he 
scarcely  spoke.  I  must  not  forget  to  mention  his  having 
said  to  a  friend  who  went  to  see  him,  '  Do  you  find  Christ 
precious  to  you  in  health  ?  I  cannot  think  of  Him  now, 
but  He  is  looking  on  me  !'* 

"  His  suflferings  seemed  to  cease  as  his  end  approached, 
and  when  he  died,  it  was  without  a  struggle,  insensibly 
passing  into  a  glorious  eternity.  *  I  heard  a  voice  from 
heaven,  saying.  Blessed  are  the  dead  which  die  in  the 
Lord  from  henceforth:  Yea,  saith  the  Spirit,  that  they 
may  rest  from  their  labours ;  and  their  works  do  follow 
them'  (Rev.  xiv.  13).     'Be  ye  also  ready.' 

"  M.  M.  H." 

*  "  About  this  time,  another  friend  was  at  his  bed-side.  Mr  L  *  *  •  opened 
his  ey^i  gave  us  a  beaming  smile,  and  sud, '  We  shall  talk  of  it  when  it  is 


4 


over. 


mm* 


124 


EMIGRANT  FEVER. 


Another  who  suffered,  but  who  recovered  from  the 
malignant  epidemic,  writes  in  grateful  acknowledgment 
of  Captain  Hammond's  attention : — 


"  I  mention,  as  a  proof  of  his  love  to  the  Lord's  people, 
the  fidelity  with  which  he  attended  his  friend,  and  my 
father  in  Christ,  Captai  «  «  *,  RN.,  during  his  last 
illness,  occasioned  by  the  terrible  scourge,  of  which  I  lay 
sick  at  the  same  time.  ...  As  soon  as  Captain  L  «  «  « 
and  myself  were  prostrated,  Captain  Hammond  came  and 
insisted  on  attending,  I  may  say,  both  of  us^  although, 
more  especially,  the  former.  The  risk  of  this  was  such, 
and  the  demand  for  nurses  so  great,  that  it  was  almost 
impossible  to  get  adequate,  or  even  any  sort  of  attendance. 
Hence  the  merit  of  Captain  Hammond's  services  was  all 
the  greater ;  and  most  diligently  and  faithfully  did  he  give 
his  services.  All  through  many  a  weaiy  night,  with  the 
most  affectionate  watchfulness,  answering  every  request, 
and  anticipating  every  want,  did  he  mast  fearlessly,  and 
in  the  most  disinterested  manner,  devote  himself  to  the 
sick.  It  was  wonderful  that  he  escaped  the  disease,  risk- 
ing himself  as  he  did.  But  the  Lord  had  the  work  for 
him  to  dc  and  selecting  the  fit  instrument  for  it,  then  He 
spared  him.  Poor  L  «  «  «,  however,  died ;  but  his  con- 
stant attendant,  almost  day  and  night,  through  an  illness 
of  fourteen  or  fifteen  days,  was  Captain  Haiimiond.  He 
proved  in  a  beautiful  manner,  how  deeply  he  was  actuated 
by  that  Christian  love  whose  brightest  feature  is  univer- 
sality. I  am  sure  his  was  a  love  that  embraced  all  he  ever 
met  with.  On  his  visit  to  me,  he  used  to  offer  up  prayer, 
and  repeat  suitable  passages  of  Scripture ;  and,  until  I  was 


NUKSING  THE  SICK. 


120 


quite  well,  he  never  omitted  at  any  time  to  come  and  see 


me. 


One  more  testimony  to  this  self-denying  work  from 
Captain  P  «  «  «  : — 


"  I  saw  him  once  at  Ihe  oedside  of  Mr  W  ♦  ♦  ♦;  the 
poor  patient  in  unconscious  delirium.  Oh !  how  I  admired 
him,  and  wondered  at  the  power  of  Divine  grace.  His 
natural  strength  of  character  and  extreme  gentleness,  with 
that  intense  love  of  God  and  man,  the  spring  and  centre 
of  his  renewed  being,  rendered  him  peculiarly  fitted  for 
such  a  labour  of  love,  .  .  .  But  God  alone,  in  the  fulness 
of  whose  smile  he  now  rejoices,  knows  what  he  was  to  our 
dear  friend,  that  bright  and  shining  light,  dear  L  «  «  «  ! 
He  passed  whole  nights  alone  with  him  during  the  short, 
but  terrible  period  of  lis  illness." 


' 


■ 


126 


U»£FUL»Ji:sa 


CHAPTER  IX. 

"  Go  labour  on  t  spend  and  be  spent, 
Thyjoy  to  do  thy  Master's  will;    . 
It  is  the  way  the  Master  went. 
Should  not  the  servant  tread  it  still  t 

"  Toil  on — ^faint  not — keep  watch  and  pray,  . 
Be  wise  the  erring  soul  to  win ; 
Qo  forth  into  the  world's  highway. 
Compel  the  wanderers  to  oome  in." 

BOHAB. 

In  the  early  part  of  August  184)7,  the  battalion  was  moved 
from  Montreal  to  Kingston  and  Toronto.  Soon  after 
their  march  Captain  Hammond  writes  to  one  of  his  inti- 
mate friends : — 

"August  14,  1847. 

"  My  DEAB  P  ♦  ♦  ♦, — I  am  truly  thankful  to  be  once 
more  settled,  and  the  more  so  as  I  have  felt  that  the  bustle 
and  confusion  of  the  march  was  not  congenial  with  spi- 
ritual things.  I  speak  this  to  my  shame,  as  no  change  of 
outward  circumstances  ought  to  interrupt  our  communion 
with  God.  And  now  I  am  picturing  to  myself  a  nice 
quiet  time,  with  nothing  to  interrupt  my  retirement;  but. 


MAltCH  TO  LACIIINE. 


127 


I  dare  say,  I  shall  find  as  many  things  to  distract  here,  as 
at  Montreal.  After  taking  leave  of  you,  and  the  rest  of 
*  the  brethren,*  ye  continued  our  trying  march  to  Lachine. 
Most  trying  it  was,  as  I  can  speak  from  painful  experience, 
having  carried  a  pack  from  the  time  I  left  you.  The  day 
was  very  close,  and  the  men  unaccustomed  to  marching. 
The  consequence  was,  they  dropped  to  the  rear  by  scores, 
unable  to  go  on.  We  succeeded,  however,  in  getting  all 
safe  on  board  the  steamer.  .... 

"  I  miss  you  all  very  much,  and  now  that  I  am  sepa- 
rated from  you,  I  feel  how  imthankful  I  have  been  for  so 
great  a  privilege  as  I  have  enjoyed  in  being  amongst  you 
so  long.  I  look  back  with  pleasant  reminiscence  to  the 
bright  and  happy  days  I  have  passed  in  Montreal,  and 
with  deep  and  mom-nful  interest  to  those  that  were  dark 
and  gloomy ;  but  the  promise  is  true,  that  *  though  weeping 
may  endure  for  a  night,  joy  cometh  in  the  morning.*  You 
have  had  weeping  days,  and  so  has  the  little  Church  at 
Trinity.  The  days  of  joy  are  not  far  distant;  only  let  us 
be  faithful  in  waiting  upon  God  and  believing  His  word. 
I  long  to  hear  of  you  all,  and  my  heart  is  often  with  you ; 
and  when  I  feel  cold  and  lukewarm,  I  can  still  say,  as  dear 
L  »  ♦  »  did,  '  Well !  I  am  sure  of  this,  that  I  love  the 
brethren. ' 

"  Remember  my  request,  that  I  may  be  kept  humble  and 
faithful:  and  now,  adieu;  my  Christian  love  to  all  friends, 
!)«««,  G«««,  !«««,  &c.  Grace  and  peace  be 
with  you  all  through  Jesus  Christ. — Your  affectionate 
friend^  M.  M.  H." 


m  1 


The  next  letter  is  addressed  to  Dr  T  ♦  ♦  ♦,  the  minis- 


/28 


USEFULNESS. 


ter  at  Halifax,  to  whose  teaching  he  felt  he  owed  much, 
and  whom  he  loved  and  respected  as  a  father  in  Christ.  It 
will  be  seen  from  its  perusal,  that  a  struggle  was  at  this  time 
going  on  in  his  mind,  as  to  whether  he  should  abandon 
his  present  profession  for  another  to  which  he  felt  a  strong 
calling.  The  letter  is  valuable,  as  an  illustration  of  Maxy 
Hammond's  entire  dependence  on  God  in  all  his  ways. 
In  every  difficulty  and  perplexity  he  had  recourse  to 
prayer;  and  then,  with  full  assurance  that  the  Lord 
"  would  Liform  him,  and  teach  him  in  the  way  wherein  he 
should  go,"  he  looked  for  Clod's  guidance,  either  in  the 
counsels  of  his  friends,  or  in  the  impulse  of  his  own  judg- 
ment 

«ToDrT  «  «  «. 

«  October  5,  1847. 

"  Our  battalion  has  been  removed  from  Mon- 
treal to  Kingston  and  Toronto.  I  am  at  the  latter  place, 
which  are  the  Lead-quarters.  The  remaining  three  com- 
panies are  at  Kingston.  I  feel  ashamed  at  not  having 
written  you  for  so  long.  I  must  ask  your  forgiveness  for 
this  neglect.  But,  believe  me,  I  have  not  and  do  not 
forget  my  gratitude  to  you,  as  my  friend  and  spiritual 
pastor  during  my  stay  at  Halifax.  Nor  can  I  forget 
your  work  of  faith  and  labour  of  love  among  our  poor 
soldiers.  And,  especially,  I  would  bless  God  who  made 
your  ministering  amongst  us  so  acceptable  and  so  useful. 
May  His  grace  be  vouchsafed  to  you,  my  dear  sir,  in  still 
larger  measure;  and  may  you  be  enabled  to  devote  those 
talents  with  which  He  has  endowed  you  more  entirely  to 
His  service.     May  your  own  soul  be  abundantly  watered 


'T""" 


THOUGHTS  OF  ENTERING  THE  MINISTRY. 


129 


by  the  dew  of  His  grace,  while  you  are  engaged  in  your 
laborious  and  self-denying  efforts  to  win  souls  to  Christ. 
Though  perhaps  you  may  see  little  of  the  fruit  of  your 
labours  here,  yet  I  trust  you  will  find  many  at  the  great 
day  who  will  be  your  glory  and  crown  of  rejoicing  in  the 
Lord  Jesus." 


i 


i 


After  alluding  to  some  private  matters,  he  resumes  the 
subject  of  his  letter: — 


"And  now  that  I  am  writing  to  you,  my  dear  Dr 
T  «  «  «,  I  wish  to  ask  your  opinion,  in  strict  confidence,  on 
a  subject  that  has  been  much  on  my  mind  for  some  months 
past — that  is,  the  idea  of  entering  the  ministry.  This  was 
first  suggested  to  me  by  a  friend,  Mr  L  ♦  #  *  (since 
dead  of  typhus  fever) ;  and  though  I  did  not  at  first  think 
seriously  about  it.  I  have  done  so  since.  I  have  also  asked 
the  opinion  oi  L  «  *  «,,  and  of  the  late  Mr  W  ♦  ♦  ♦  (our 
beloved  pastor  at  Montreal),  and  Mr  B  «  «  «  of  Mon- 
treal; and  now  I  should  like  to  have  your  opinion,  if  you 
could  kindly  give  it.  I  have  thought  seriously  and  prayer- 
fully over  the  matter  in  every  way,  and  hope  I  am  de- 
sirous to  do  the  will  of  God,  and  to  follow  only  that  in 
the  which  He  shall  direct.  The  great  lack  of  ministers 
in  the  Church,  my  belief  that  the  opportunities  of  useful- 
ness are  incomparably  greater  in  the  Church,  and,  if  I  am 
not  deceiving  myself,  a  desire  in  my  heart  of  giving  my- 
self entirely  to  the  Lord's  service,  are  among  some  of  the 
reasons  I  would  allege  for  desiring  to  enter  the  sacred 
ministry.  I  feel  my  own  insufficiency,  but  I  know  that 
God  will  give  strength  to  do  the  work,  and  wisdom  to  the 


"t-mmimm 


130 


USEFULNESS. 


foolish,  and  understanding  to  the  ignorant,  if  those  things 
be  duly  sought  of  Him  in  prayer.  As  to  my  means,  I 
have  sufficient  to  make  me  independent  as  to  any  ex- 
pectation, in  a  pecimiaiy  point  of  view.  The  question  is, 
Should  I  be  justified  in  giving  up  my  present  position  in 
life? — i.e.,  Are  the  reasons  which  I  can  give  for  my  desire 
to  enter  the  ministry  so  strong  as  to  enable  me  to  believe 
that,  in  so  doing,  I  should  be  following  the  Lord's  will  ? 
If  you  would  kindly  give  me  your  judgment^  I  should  be 
greatly  obliged.  And  now,  my  dear  sir,  I  must  conclude. 
— ^With  kindest  remembrances  to  Mrs  T  «  «  «  and  all 
Christian  Mends  in  Halifax,  believe  me,  yours  affection- 
ately and  gratefully, 

«M.  M.  H." 

Most  of  those  friends  whom  Captain  Hammond  con- 
sulted, dissuaded  him  from  taking  this  step;  and  he  aban- 
doned the  idea  soon  after,  as  we  learn  from  the  following 
letter: — 


"  Kingston. 

"  My  DiiiAB  M  «  «  «, — I  want  to  tell  you  what  I  had 
felt,  and  what  I  now  feel,  with  regard  to  my  entering  the 
Church.  I  am  so  thankful  that  «  «  «  spoke  to  you 
about  it,  as  I  very  much  wished  to  have  your  opinion; 
and,  since  I  have  heard  it,  I  am  more  than  ever  confirmed 
in  the  opinion  I  have  come  to  respecting  it.  How  gra- 
ciously does  God  thus  answer  prayer,  and  bring  about  our 
desires  in  a  manner  the  most  unlooked  for!  You  are 
under  a  wrong  impression  in  thinking  that  I  first  thought 
of  entering  the  ministry  during  the  fatal  pestilence  at 


THE  IDEA  ABANDONED. 


131 


Montreal,  which  carried  off  so  many  faithful  servants  and 
ministers  of  Christ.  It  was  first  pressed  upon  me  in  April 
last;  and,  being  proposed  to  me  in  this  manner,  I  felt  I 
was  in  duty  bound  to  ascertain  the  Lord's  will  in  so  im- 
portant a  matter;  lest,  on  the  one  hand,  I  should  be  shrink- 
ing from  my  dr.cy,  as  a  professed  servant  of  Christ;  and 
lest,  on  the  Ouher,  I  should  blindly  follow  natural  impulse, 
and  the  dictates  of  my  own  fleshly  mind,  in  opposition  to 
the  leadings  of  God's  providence.  Accordingly,  I  wrote 
to  «  «  «  and  «  «  «,  after  making  it  a  subject  of  earnest 
prayer  to  God.  All  agree  in  advising  me  to  remain ;  so 
that  I  cannot,  ought  not,  would  not,  act  in  opposition  to 
the  advice  of  so  many  friends — and  my  mind  is  perfectly 
at  rest  as  to  the  course  I  ought  to  pursue.  My  way  ap- 
pears plainly  marked  out  by  God's  providence,  and  this  is 
all  I  want  to  know." 


Almc  St  all  Maxy  Hammond's  letters  givfe  evidence  of 
the  one  great  prevailing  thought  ever  uppermost  in  his 
mind.  If  that  one  leading  idea  was  excluded,  letter- 
writing  was  most  irksome  to  him.  He  was  not,  indeed, 
a  bad  "  general  correspondent,"  for  his  kind  heart 
prompted  him  to  write  frequently  to  all  who  had  a  claim 
on  his  pen;  but  to  those  to  whom  he  could  unburden 
himself  without  reserve,  with  whom  he  could  compare 
mutual  wants,  seek  for  their  prayers,  ask  for  or  offer  a 
word  of  seasonable  exhortation — to  such  his  pen  was  a 
ready  one.  He  spoke  out  of  the  abundance  of  his  heart ; 
he  felt  that  "  A  letter  timely  writ  is  the  rivet  to  the  chains 
of  affection — the  pen  flowing  with  love." 

And  of  such  sort  are  the  two  or  three  wluch  follow: — 


i 


> 


132 


USEFULKESa. 


"To  Captain  P  «  «  «. 

"Toronto,  October  80,  1847. 

"  My  beloved  Brother, — .  ....  I  long  to  hear  from 
you  about  your  visit  to  dear  «  «  «.  I  am  sure  you  must 
have  enjoyed  it.  No  one  can  be  with  him  without  feel- 
ing how  good  it  is  for  one's  soul  to  be  with  one  who  has 
inherited  so  much  of  his  Master's  spirit,  and  whose  whole 
walk  is  so  humble  and  so  consistent.  Oh,  that  that  meek- 
ness, and  love,  and  simple  trust  in  God,  which  we  observe 
in  our  fellow-men,  were  more  imitated  and  more  sought 
after  by  prayer  to  God  !  But,  above  all,  it  is  the  example 
of  Jesus  that  we  should  continually  set  before  us  (as  your 
friend  SteUebras  always  insists),  which  alone  can  be  eflfec- 
tual  ♦o  the  transforming  our  minds  and  renewing  them 
according  to  the  Divine  will  Nevertheless,  we  may  do 
well  to  observe  the  life  of  Jesus  in  His  faithful  followers, 
and  seek  to  follow  them,  as  they  followed  Christ.  How 
blessed  it  is  for  us  to  know  that  Jesus  is  our  wisdom  to 
teach,  our  righteousness  to  justify,  our  sanctification  to 
prepare  us  for  glory,  and  our  redemption,  in  whom  we 
stand  complete! 

"  You  will  have  seen  my  name  in  the  Gazette.  Pray 
for  me  that,  with  increased  influence  and  responsibility,  I 
may  have  increased  light  and  grace,  with  a  single  eye  to 
the  glory  of  God,  that  so  my  promotion  may  be  sanctified 
and  God  honoured.  ....  *  Call  upon  me  in  the  time  of 
trouble ;  I  will  deliver  thee,  and  thou  shalt  glorify  me* 
(Psalm  1.  15).  God  is  glorified  when,  in  a  season  of  spiri- 
tual darkness,  the  believer  calls  upon  Him. — Ever  your 
affectionate  friend,  .  _  M.  M.  H." 


MUTUAL  UNION  IN  PRAYER. 


13d 


To  his  brother  E 


«  «  «. 


"Quebec,  October  1847. 

"My  dear  E  «  «  «, — I  often  reproach  myself  with 
neglect  and  idleness  in  not  writing  to  you ;  but  I  often,  yes 
always,  think  of  you  and  dear  M  «  «  « ;  and  especially  do 
I  delight  in  pleading  for  you  both  when  I  present  my  own 
poor  supplications  to  our  common  Lord.  Nothing  brings 
you  so  vividly  before  my  eyes  as  when  engaged  in  prayer; 
and  I  am  sure  that  nothing  acts  so  powerfully  to  increase 
our  love,  and  strengthen  the  ties  of  natural  affection. 
Though  we  cannot  see,  hear,  or  speak  to  one  another, 
though  we  are  many  thousands  of  miles  apart,  yet  we  can 
pray  for  one  another ;  and,  in  so  doing,  who  can  estimate 
the  amount  of  good  that  we  may  draw  down  upon  each 
other's  heads.  Let  us  think  of  this  whenever  we  approach 
the  mercy-seat.  Let  us  ask  for  -  rich  supply  of  spiritual 
blessings,  and  as  far  as  we  can  judge  of  one  another's  pecu- 
liar wants,  trials,  difficulties,  and  temptations,  let  us  ask  in 
faith  that  these  may  be  bestowed  upon  us  out  of  the  inex- 
haustible treasures  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  .... 

"  I  am  here  on  a  visit  to  my  friend  L  «  «  «.  This  is 
a  lovely  place,  the  most  beautiful  in  Canada,  and  I  can 
assure  you  I  have  been  enjoying  my  holidays  not  a  little. 
The  hill  scenery  is  very  fine,  the  weather  has  changed — 
cloudless  skies  and  a  refreshing  air  which  add  greatly  to 
one's  enjoyment,  and  produce  high  animal  spirits.  But 
my  chief  pleasure  has  been  derived  fron^  my  intercourse 
with  L  «  «  «,  whose  society  I  always  value  and  delight 
in,  more  than  any  one  I  know.  I  look  upon  a  real  friend  as 
one  of  the  choicest  blessings  God  has  given  us  to  enjoy. 


n 


I 


^vS^^^mi^^f^^^^^ 


i34> 


USEFULNESS. 


and  as  such  I  would  thankfully  acknowledge  them  and 
receive  them  as  His  gifts.  .... 

" I  fully  expect  and  desire  to  remain  in  this  country; 
but  it  may  not  be  so  appointed:  all  our  concerns  are  in 
the  hands  of  Him,  without  whom  a  sparrow  cannot  fall  to 
the  ground — whether  therefore  we  remain  here  or  go  there 
is  a  matter  of  small  moment,  for  all  will  be  well  if  we  are 
His,  if  we  are  abiding  in  Him,  waiting  on  Him,  trusting  on 
Him,  looking  to  Him.  I  pray  that  wherever  I  am  sent  I 
may  have  grace  given  me  to  glorify  His  name,  by  living 
to  Him  alone.  O  that  our  faith  was  firmer  and  brighter, 
and  our  love  to  Him  more  constant  and  self-denying! 
that  we  could  always  live  as  seeing  Him  who  is  invisible, 
and  have  a  single  eye  to  His  glory  in  all  that  we  do !  This 
would  be  happiness  indeed ;  of  which  we  should  know 
more  in  proportion  to  the  closeness  of  our  walk  with  Him. 

"  And  now,  my  beloved  brother,  farewell. — Believe  me, 
with  much  love,  your  affectionate  brother, 

«  M.  M.  H.'' 


The  next  letter  is  to  a  friend, 
matters,  he  says: — 


After  alluding  to  private 


"  May  you  receive  grace  and  wisdom  to  adorn  the  doc- 
trine  of  God  your  Saviour  in  all  things ;  and,  by  a  humble 
and  consistent  walk,  to  shew  forth  the  praises  of  Him  who 
has  called  you  out  of  darkness  into  His  marvellous  light ! 
I  daresay  you  will  meet  with  trials  in  some  shape  or  other, 
and  where  is  the  situation  where  there  are  none?  But 
be  strong  in  the  grace  that  is  in  Christ  Jesus,  and  He  will 
bring  you  safely  through  all.     '  Looking  unto  Jesus,  the 


BIBLE  CLASSES  FOR  THE  MEN. 


135 


Author  and  Finisher  of  your  faith/  you  will  be  enabled  to 
hold  on  your  way;  and  you  will  daily  experience  more  of 
the  peace  which  He  giveth.  But  this  last  will  be  in  pro- 
portion to  your  prayer  and  constant  watchfulness. 

"  How  strange  that  you  and  I  should  be  talking  together 
on  these  subjects,  when  we  look  back  at  ourselves  a  few 
years  ago !  It  should  fill  us  with  thankfulness  and  praise 
to  look  at  the  rock  whence  we  were  hewn,  and  the  hole  of 
the  pit  whence  we  have  been  digged.  What  maketh  us  to 
differ  from  what  we  once  were  ?  Nothing  but  the  sove- 
reign grace  of  a  merciful  God.  Oh  !  let  us  give  Him  all 
the  praise,  and  let  us  prove  our  gratitude  by  giving  our 
whole  hearts  to  Jesus.  .  .  . 

"  We  are  getting  on  comfortably  here,  and  a  door  of 
usefulness  has  been  opened  to  us  among  the  men.  On 
Sunday  and  Wednesday  evenings,  we  have  a  meeting  in 
the  school-room,  for  prayer  and  reading  the  Scriptures, 
with  a  few  practical  remarka  The  meeting  has  averaged 
from  thirty-five  to  forty,  and  we  hope  some  souls  will  be 
led  to  Jesus  by  this  humble  means.  Help  us,  dear  brother, 
with  your  praytrs.  Go  in  the  strength  of  Jesus;  make 
Him  your  all  in  all — be  diligent,  be  earnest,  be  watchful; 
seek  a  spirit  of  prayer  and  a  close  conformity  to  Jesus  in 
your  mind;  and  remember  in  your  prayers,  for  Christ's 
sake,  your  affectionate  friend, 

«M.  M.  H." 


»i  i 


i 


After  the  battalion  was  removed  from  Montreal,  the 
right  wing  was  sent  to  Toronto,  and  the  left  wing,  to  which 
Maxy  Hammond  was  soon  afterwards  transferred  on  pro- 
motion, went  to  Kingston.     Of  his  usefulness  at  this  time, 


m 


USEFULNESS. 


we  may  gather  some  idea  from  a  communication  furnished 
by  a  city  missionary,  who  was  at  that  time  a  private  in 
Captain  Hammond's  company : — 

"Captain  Hammond's  appearance  amongst  us,"  the 
writer  says,  "revived  all  those,  both  officers  and  men,  who 
were  lovers  of  the  Saviour.  An  evening- school  was 
established  in  the  fort,  where  six  soldiers,  who  could  neither 
read  nor  write,  made  their  first  effort.  In  the  course  of  a 
month  the  number  gradually  increased  to  fifty,  and,  even- 
tually to  near  eighty  men,  none  of  whom  were  at  first 
capable  of  reading  the  Word  of  God.  Soon  after,  a  pro- 
posal was  made  that  two  religious  meetings  should  be  held 
in  the  school-room  every  week-*-on  Wednesday  and  Sun- 
day evenings.  On  hearing  the  suggestion.  Captain 
Hammond  replied,  *  Yes !  it  is  prayer  that  mi:st  bring  the 
blessing  down ;'  and  these  meetings  were  soon  afterwards 
established.  A  bugle  sounded  the  call  to  the  evening- 
school  at  half-past  six,  and  the  same  sound  was  the  sum- 
mons to  the  meeting.  On  the  first  occasion,  the  verandah 
was  lined  with  men  and  many  officers — some  of  whom 
viewed  this  proceeding  with  significant  looks — and  those 
who  were  not  ashamed  to  confess  Christ  before  men  passed 
on  through  the  barrack  square,  thus  evidencing  the  sin- 
cerity of  their  faith." 


Captain  Hammond's  attention  was  next  turned  to  the 
suppression  of  drunkenness. 

"  For  this  noble  purpose,"  the  same  writer  continues,  "  he 
procured  competent  lecturers  on  *  temperance,'  the  result 
of  which  was,  that  many  of  the  men  relinquished,  and 


ENDEAVOUflS  TO  SUPPRESS  DRUNKENNESS. 


137 


never  resumed  the  use  of  intoxicating  beverages.  In 
addition  to  this,  reading-rooms  were  established-^a  supply 
of  books  procured — and  prizes  were  given  for  the  r^ular 
attendance  of  the  men  at  the  evening-schools.  For  all 
these  various  objects,  funds  were  provided  from  Captain 
Hammond's  purse. 

"Further,"  the  same  pen  continues,  "the  amount  of 
spiritual  good  among  the  rich,  and  temporal  good  among 
the  poor,  effected  in  the  parish  and  city  by  Captain  Ham- 
mond, during  our  stay  there,  can  only  be  fully  known  at 
the  Great  Day.  Through  his  instrumentality  the  church 
itself,  as  weU  as  the  ground  connected  with  it,  was  put  in 
order,  and  the  clergyman's  house  provided,  and  the  school 
greatly  assisted.  Captain  Hammond  rose  early,  and  after 
spending  some  time  in  private,  called  in  his  two  servants 
JO  '  ^ily  prayer.  At  nine  o'clock  on  Sabbath  mornings, 
h  ,v  T  :,  into  the  children's  school;  and,  after  marching  his 
company  to  the  garrison  church,  proceeded  to  the  hospital, 
where  he  would  conduct  a  service  in  some  one  of  the 
wards.  His  influence  probably  had  considerable  effect 
among  the  men  in  checking  desertion.  Although  for  nine- 
teen months  within  a  few  miles  of  the  frontier,  only  one 
man  deserted,  while  desertions  were  frequent  with  the  men 
of  other  corps." 

The  love  of  his  men,  and  the  influence  he  possessed  over 
them — of  such  vital  importance  to  an  officer — may  be 
assigned,  not  less  to  the  spirit  that  entered  into  all  their 
interests  and  wants,  difficulties,  pleasures,  and  duties,  than 
to  his  other  sterling  qualities.  His  men  were  constantly 
in  his  thoughts.  ^  The  army  was  his  profession,  and  he 


i 


;'^jtMmiMmtamtt:*kM.>».Mt^.^x.,fM^i^,-.>'i' 


■  cr."'i**''^^.'T^r*'''-',''t''^"''T^*^" 


138 


VaEFULNESS. 


regarded  it  as  a  mighty  organ — as  the  police  of  the  nation, 
the  end  of  which  was  peace.  It  was  in  this  light  ho  loved 
to  look  at  it;  and  thus  viewing  it,  he  honoured  and  valued 
the  men  who  composed  it.  They  were  his  inferiors  in 
rank,  but  part  of  one  great  body,  and  all  his  sympathies 
were  due  to  them.  Their  higher,  holier  interests  absorbed 
his  attention,  but  not  to  the  exclusion  of  minor  efforts 
for  their  pleasure  and  eiyoyment.    Thus  he  writes: — 

"Kingston,  January  19, 1848. 

"I  am  going  to  establish* a  reading-room,  if  I  can  get 
one,  for  the  men,  in  the  hope  of  keeping  some  out  of  the 
canteen  during  the  winter  evenings.  And  I  have  been 
thinking  of  getting  up  singing  among  them  with  the  same 
view ;  but  this  I  have  not  yet  decided  upon.  Idleness  is 
the  great  snare  of  the  soldier ;  and  it  is  a  great  thing  to 
find  anything  for  them  that  will  occupy  and  interest  them 
at  the  same  time.  The  Bible-classes  continue  to  be  well 
attended,  and  give  encouragement  to  hope  that  the  good 
seed  may  not  be  sown  in  vain." 

And  in  another  letter  about  the  same  date: — 

"  My  Christmas  was  a  very  pleasant  one,  &c.,  &c  Our 
own  men  had  a  grand  dinner  of  capital  roast  beef  and 
mutton,  with  plum-pudding  in  abundance.  I  wish  you 
could  have  seen  the  splendid  decorations  of  some  of  their 
rooms,  vdth  all  kinds  of  devices  in  fir  round  the  walls — 
fiags,  paintings,  &c. ;  altogether  the  day  passed  off  quietI3^ 
and  the  poor  soldiers  were  much  pleased." 


To  those  who  were  for  the  first  time  entering  upon  the 


INFLUENCE  OF  HIS  EXAMPLE. 


139 


"  new  life/'  often  in  doubt,  often  in  despondency,  often  in 
weakness,  the  counsel  of  such  an  one  as  Maxy  Hammond 
must  have  been  invaluable  indeed.  It  was  easy  to  see,  in 
his  pleasant  ways,  in  his  bright  and  radiant  countenance, 
that  the  hope  of  which  he  spoke  was  no  unreal,  no  exclu- 
sive thing,  but  one  of  which  all  might  be  partakers.  And 
this  peculiar  happiness  of  manner  had  no  small  effect  upon 
those  who  needed  some  stay,  some  encouragement  in  the 
outset  of  their  Christian  life.  Such  a  helper  was  he  to 
the  writer  of  the  annexed  letter: — 

"Kingston,  Canada,  8th  November  1856. 

•  •  •  *  "It  was  in  1848,  when  he  was  stationed  at 
Kingston,  that  I  first  met  with  him.  I  had  been  thinking 
seriously,  and  was  much  impressed  by  the  consistency  of 
his  walk  and  conversation.  I  saw  in  him  the  beauty  of 
religion  exemplified  in  a  striking  manner;  and  though  per- 
haps not  the  direct  means  of  my  conversion,  which  I  trace 
to  my  dear  mother,  and  to  the  last  verse  of  ihe  first  chap- 
ter of  James,  improved  on  me  by  the  Holy  Spirit,  yet 
Captain  Hammond's  life  had  undoubtedly  a  great  influence 
in  strengthening  my  new  and  weak  religious  principles 
and  convictions.  When  I  had  emerged  from  darkness  into 
the  glorious  liberty  of  the  children  of  God,  he  was  the  first 
one  to  whom  I  communicated  my  changed  sentiments  on 
religious  subjects.  He  took  me  by  the  hand,  encouraged 
me  by  his  advice,  got  me  installed  as  a  teacher  in  St 
James'  Sunday-school,  over  which  he  was  superintendent ; 
and  several  times  in  the  week  did  he  call  at  my  oflSce ;  and, 
after  office  hours,  bring  me  forth  to  the  bedside  of  some 
poor  sick  or  dying  fellow-sinner.    He  would  occasionally 


*. 


140 


USEFULNESS. 


make  me  read  the  Scriptures,  and  he  would  engage  in 
prayer;  and  so  we  went  from  house  to  house,  where  he 
was  well  known  and  welcomed.  Thus  he  watched  over 
me,  and  led  me  step  by  step,  till,  by  Good's  grace,  I  was 
enabled  to  go  and  do  likewise  to  the  extent  of  my  ability 
and  opportunity. 

"  I  thus  look  back  with  great  thankfulness  to  the  time 
when  I  was  privileged  to  be  with  him.  I  thank  God  con- 
tinually, from  the  depth  of  my  heart,  that  Ho  placed  pro- 
videntially so  eminent  and  holy  a  Christian  as  Captain 
Hammond  before  me  as  my  example,  at  a  time  when  the 
Christian  character  is  set  and  moulded  so  easily.  His 
words  *  were  like  fire  in  my  souL'  I  feel  the  benefit  of 
them  now,  and  shall  do  so  till  I  meet  him  in  glory.  They 
stirred  me  up,  and  made  me  run  in  the  divine  life.  Yet 
he  apparently  knew  not  their  secret  force.  And  how  do 
we  account  for  it  ?  It  was  simply  this :  he  was  fvXi  of 
faith  and  the  Holy  Ghost  who  spoke  by  him.  His  words 
were  with  power.  Having  purged  himself  with  the  blood 
of  Jesus,  he  was  'a  vessel,'  as  the  apostle  says,  'meet  for 
the  Master's  use.' 

"  In  my  intercourse  with  Christian  friends,  I  never  met 
with  any  one  whose  simple  words  were  so  effective.  I 
can  recollect  the  identical  spot  where  we  happened  to  be 
walking  some  seven  years  ago,  when  he  gave  utterance  to 
expressions  in  reference  to  spiritual  truths  which  are  em- 
bedded in  my  heart  and  memory.  The  spot,  when  passed 
again,  brings  back  with  it  the  truth  anew,  with  its  whole- 
some influences,  and  all  the  associated  circumstances,  as* 
though  it  had  occurred  b  '  vesterday.  The  remark  I  have 
felt  of  mosw  benefit  to  me     .s  this :  *  See  that  ycmr  first 


se 


HIS  VALUE  AS  A  CHRISTIAN  FRIEND. 


Ul 


love  does  not  decline.'  When  disposed  to  slacken  my 
pace  in  the  divine  life,  often  has  this  rung  the  alarm  in 
my  ears,  and  roused  me  to  wait  on  the  Lord,  that  my 
strength  might  be  renewed." 

This  was  not  a  single  instance  of  his  value  as  a  Chris- 
tian friend.  The  close  of  the  letter,  though  diverging 
from  this  particular  point,  bears  so  strong  a  testimony  to 
Captain  Hammond's  life  of  active  usefulness,  that  it  should 
not  be  omitted : — 

"The  Sunday-school,  however,  occupied  his  thoughts 
and  attention  very  much.  He  was  always  at  his  post  in 
time  early  in  the  morning,  and  in  all  weathers,  though  his 
quarters  were  some  three  miles  distant  He  was  an 
admirable  teacher,  and  took  much  pains  in  getting  mis- 
sionary and  other  information  to  instruct  the  children  in 
his  addresses.  On  his  leaving,  the  school  presented  him 
with  a  book  and  address.  His  visits  to  the  poor  were 
constant  and  daily ;  and  not  only  did  he  feed  them  with 
spiritual  food,  but  he  ministered  to  their  temporal  wants  of 
his  substance.  He  was  exceedingly  liberal  Much  that 
he  did  in  this  way  was  of  course  unknown,  but  from  what 
was  known,  he  must  have  distributed  very  largely  out  of 
his  means.  After  he  left,  my  mother,  on  visiting  some 
poor  widows,  found  them  lamenting  the  loss  of  Captain 
Hammond,  and  stated  that  he  had  been  their  best  friend, 
and  had  supported  them.  He  was  a  decided  Christian,  He 
offered  his  Redeemer  no  half-hearted  service.  His  whole 
life  and  daily  walk  shewed  that  he  was  one  of  the  few  in 
the  present  low  estate  of  the  Church  of  Christ,  who  pre^ 
sented  themselves  a  living  sacrifice  to  God,  and  considered 


"J^'^'T'-'f?.""'''" 


142 


USEFULNESS. 


this  a  reasonable  service  (Eom.  xii  1).  He  was  not  con- 
formed to  this  world.  His  view«j  on  this  subject  were 
very  clear  and  stroi  g.  It  was  not  with  him,  *  how  litUe  of 
the  world  can  I  give  up  in  order  to  save  my  spiritual  life, 
and  attain  heaven  at  last  {*  but,  '  What  shall  I  render  unto 

the  Lord  in  return  for  His  love  ?' " 

'i 

The  address  above  mentioned,  as  presented  by  the  chil- 
dren of  the  school,  is  as  follows: — 

**  To  Captain  Hammond,  Rifle  Brigada 

"Veey  deab  Sir, — ^We,  the  children  of  the  Sunday- 
school  of  St  James's  Church,  Stuartville,  have  learned  with 
great  sorrow  that  you  are  to  leave  us. 

"  We  would  thank  God,  who  hath  in  His  providence 
sent  you  to  us;  and  ascribe  praise  to  His  grace,  who  hath 
exalted  you,  during  the  last  year,  to  be  the  kind  teacher 
and  guide,  as  well  as  diligent  superintendent,  of  this  Sab- 
bath-schooL 

"  We  know  Him  who,  out  of  the  mouths  of  babes  and 
sucklings,  perfects  praise,  who  will  ever  lend  a  listening 
ear  to  the  prayers  even  of  children ;  and  to  Him  will  wc 
ever  pray  that  the  Lord  of  all  power  and  might  will  have 
you  in  His  keeping,  guide  you,  bless  you,  and  make  you  a 
blessing. 

"  May  we  respectfully  ask  you  to  pray  for  us,  that  the 
seed  which  you  have  sown  in  our  minds  may  take  deep 
root,  and  spring  up,  and  bear  fruit  plentifully,  to  be  your 
future  reward,  and  to  the  praise  and  glory  of  God's  grace. 

"Signed,  on  behalf  of  the  children  of  the  Sunday- 
school,  Geobge  Coster,  Stuartville, 

Kingston,  Canada."  a 


HIS  VALUE  AS  A  SUKDAY-SOHOOL  TEACHEB. 


143 


We  may  here  add  an  extract  from  a  letter  from  the 
Kev.  Mr  R  «  «  %  in  whose  parish  this  school  was 
situated : — 


"Having  proposed  that  Captain  Hammond  should  be- 
come a  Sunday-school  teacher,  he  at  once  consented,  though 
pleading  his  own  incapacity.  After  a  short  time,  his 
qualifications  becoming  so  apparent,  and  a  vacancy  occur- 
ring, I  requested  him  to  take  the  superintendence,  which 
he  did  for  two  years,  and  by  his  indefatigable  devotedness 
raised  the  school  both  in  numbers  and  quality.  He,  in 
connexion  with  other  teachers,  regularly  visited  absentees, 
and  won  the  affections  of  both  parents  and  children.  His 
addresses  to  the  school  were  marked  by  great  simplicity, 
faithfulness,  and  affection,  and  were  therefore  very  attrac- 
tive and  usefiiL  We  all  lost  much  by  his  departure.  The 
children  threw  together  their  mites,  and  'presented  him 
with  a  present  of  books.  The  day  of  presentation  was  a 
scene  that  did  honour  to  all  Captain  Hammond  was 
deeply  affected,  while  the  little  ones  gave  audible  expres- 
sion to  their  griefs  in  sighs  which  could  not  be  restrained 
by  the  teachers,  and  were  deeply  sympathised  in  by  the 
bystandera." 


I 


I 


IM 


CHOICE  OF  FfilENDflL 


CHAPTER  X. 


(l^tAtt  of  Jfrimbs. 


"  One  draohmft  for  a  good  book,  and  a  thoasand  talenii  for  a  tme  friend ; 
So  itandeth  the  market  where  ecaroe  is  ever  costly. " 

TVPPKB. 


"  Not  with  the  trifler  gay. 

To  whom  life  aeems  bat  suoshine  on  the  ware; 
Not  with  the  empty  iriler  of  a  day — 

My  lot  be  with  the  wise  and  grave. 
With  them  I'd  walk  each  day; 

From  them  Time's  solemn  lessons  I  woold  learn. 
That  false  from  trae,  and  true  from  ialse,  I  may 

More  faithfully  discern." 


BOXAB. 


The  sterling  character  of  Captain  Hammond's  friendship 
was  especially  marked.  He  was  no  summer  friend.  Once 
given,  his  love  was  strong,  constant,  and  invariabl&  His 
nature  was,  it  is  true,  especially  affectionate ;  but  it  was 
not  to  this  alone  that  we  may  attribute  that  'inchanging, 
ever-present  feeling,  which  all  his  letters  to  his  friends 
exhibit.  It  was  rather,  that  where  he  saw  the  image  of 
his  Master  reflected,  however  feebly,  there  he  gave  his 
whole  heart  at  once.  Hence  the  number  of  his  friends; 
hence  the  many  expressions  of  grief  that  followed  his 
early  removal.     He  would  often  dwell  on  this  peculiar 


UNION  IN  CHRIST. 


145 


bond  of  love  that  unites  together  the  children  of  the  Lord, 
and  contrast  it  with  the  hollow,  selfish  friendship  of  the 
world.  He  frequently  referred  to  the  effect  of  this  union 
in  Christ  on  himself.  Once  he  said — "  Before  I  knew  the 
truth,  I  used  positively  to  hate  «  «  «.  I  don't  think 
I  used  to  hate  many  people,  but  I  confess  I  really  Itated 
him — I  used  to  think  him  such  a  regular  whining  Metho- 
dist.'' And  yet  this  very  dislike  subsequently  gave  way 
to  a  close  friendship,  founded  upon  mutual  love  to  the 
Saviour.  What  his  friends  thought  of  him,  a  few  letters 
will  shew.     One  says: — 

"  His  friendship  I  count  one  of  the  most  precious  bless- 
ings I  have  ever  received  from  the  hands  of  my  gracious 
God  and  Father.  He  seemed  sent,  as  I  loved  to  think,  in 
answer  to  the  prayer  of  one  just  then  led,  with  tottermg 
steps,  to  try  the  pathway  of  light  and  peace. 

"I  first  met  him  on  the  13th  October  1846,  soon  after 
my  arrival  at  Montreal  from  more  than  a  year's  sick 
leave.  He  was  the  friend  I  needed,  the  companion  pre- 
cisely suited  to  my  wants,  and  the  yearnings  of  my  heart. 
And  during  that  first  year  of  uninteiTupted  and  close  in- 
tercourse, I  learned  to  admire,  to  esteem,  and  love  him,  as 
I  never  thought  I  could  have  loved  man.  Meekness  and 
wisdom  seemed  traced  in  every  line  of  his  countenance. 
Truly  did  he  walk  in  the  light,  and  brightly  did  he  reflect 
the  light,  gladdening  and  warming  th*?  hearts  of  some, 
and  reproving  sin  in  the  consciences  of  others.  There 
seemed  around  him  an  atmosphere  of  light,  and  love,  and 
calm  joy  in  believing.  He  did  not  hide  his  light.  In  his 
religion  was  true  vitality;  it  was  csseiitiiilly  active  and 

K 


146 


CHOICE  OF  FRIENDS. 


diff\isiye.  The  language  of  his  heart  seemed  ever  to  be, 
"  What  shall  I  render  to  the  Lord  for  all  His  benefits  to- 
wards me?"  Sweetly,  irresistibly,  and  constantly  the  love 
of  Christ  constrained  him.  He  was  to  be  seen,  not  only  at 
the  sick-bed  of  the  friend  and  the  officer,  but  beside  that 
of  the  soldier  in  the  hospital,  and  the  poor  stranger. 
Misery,  sorrow,  and  need  of  every  kind,  had  for  him 
attraction.  Others  saw  his  works,  and  blessed  him,  and 
gave  glory  to  God ;  while  he,  in  the  lowliness  and  loveli- 
ness of  unfeigned  humility,  was  ever  ready  to  mourn  over 
felt,  confessed  unprofitableness.  He  did  much,  he  loved 
much ;  but  the  Holy  Spirit  had  opened  to  his  heart  such 
views  of  the  love  of  God  in  Christ,  that  every  return  made 
seemed  to  him  worse  than  nothing.  And  so,  while  more 
and  more  drawn  by  gratitude  and  love  to  work  for  God, 
and  to  aim  at  entire  conformity  to  His  will,  in  holiness  of 
life,  he  brought  no  plea  to  the  bar  of  God's  justice  but 
the  atonement  and  the  spotless  righteousness  of  Christ. 
In  these  he  rested — in  these  he  triumphed.  Oh,  how  he 
delighted  to  dwell  upon  the  ever  new  theme — the  love  of 
Christ,  and  the  fulness  that  is  in  Him  !  A  remaik  made 
by  a  dear  friend  at  Halifax,  in  reference  to  him,  has  often 
been  felt  by  me  in  its  realisation — *  With  grace  in  that 
heart,  what  a  lovely  Christian  he  would  be ! '  Yes ;  a 
noble  form,  a  lovely  natural  character,  walking  in  the 

light  of  God's  reconciled  countenance 

"  I  have  been  drawn  into  writing  more  than  I  intended 
— a  poor,  imperfect  tribute  indeed.  But  I  could  not  bear 
to  send  to  his  brother  those  inecious  extracts  without 
adding  my  feeble  voice  to  the  numbe;  of  those  who  call 
his  memory  blessed.  .        . — Yours  ever  sincerely, 

•'W.  P  *  *  *" 


i 


VALUE  OF  HIS  FRIENDSHIP. 


A  second  friend  writes  thus: — 


147 


"  I  have  many  mercies  to  tell  of  since,  and  one  which  I 
feel  very  grateful  for,  that,  in  such  a  time  of  need,  the 
Lord  should  have  raised  up  such  a  precious  friend  as 
Hammond.  He  who  is  touched  with  a  feeling  of  our  in- 
firmities, knew  that  a  return  to  a  mess-table,  and  the 
anniversary  of  dearest  N  «  «  *'s  illness  and  death,  would 
be  trying  times  to  me;  and  He  therefore  sent  one  who 
could  fully  sympathise  with  me,  and  who  was,  by  His 
blessing,  a  great  comfort  to  me." 


I 


A  third  officer  adds  one  more  testimony:— 

"  He  (Captain  Hammond)  was  the  fi:  st  to  tike  me  by 
the  hand,  when  it  pleased  the  Lord  to  shew  me  that  1  'as 
walking  in  a  road  that  led  to  death.  I  attributi  very, 
very  much  to  dear  Hammond  as  the  instr:n\vat  to  my 
being  enabled  to  (;ast  away  every  weight,  ana  the  pursuits 
and  pleasures  which,  if  partaken  of,  are  liable  to  choke  the 
good  seed.  Thus,  by  making  a  clear  stand,  with  the  affec- 
tionate and  anxious  prayers  and  entreaties  of  beloved 
Maxy,  another  brand  was  plucked  from  the  burning,  and 
I  tlius  spared  to  be  another  witness  to  his  holy  example, 
his  unwearied  zeal  in  the  desire  to  benefit  his  fellow-men." 


All  these  friends  bear  witness  tc,  the  consistent  reality 
and  earnest  activity  of  his  life.  His  light  was  not  hid 
imder  a  bushel.  Men  saw  Lis  good  works,  and  how  he 
glorified  his  Father  in  liesivun.  These  letters  shew  how 
his  friends  regarded  him.  Upon  what  grounds  he  himself 
sought  and  found  intimate  tie3,  the  next  letter  to  his 
brother  will  shew : — 


148 


CHOICE  OF  FRIENDS. 


"  My  dear  H  «  «  «, — It  is  a  good  thing  to  find  out 
and  get  acquainted  with  religious  people  wherever  one 
goes.  I  hope  I  shall  never  forget  the  advice  of  a  good 
man,  a  clergyman  in  this  country,  who  died  this  summer 
of  emigrant  fever.  When  I  was  leaving  Montreal,  *  Be 
sure,'  he  said,  '  you  lose  no  time  in  finding  out  the  good 
people  wherever  you  go/  I  hope  I  shall  always  act  upon 
this  advice,  as  I  am  convinced  that,  next  to  the  Bible  and 
the  instructions  from  the  pulpit,  nothing  is  so  good  for 
one  as  the  society  of  real  Christians.  God  has  graciously 
made  this  provision  for  our  wants,  and  so  ordered  it  that 
we  mutually  receive  and  communicate  good  to  one  another. 
And  as  we  are  commanded  to  separate  from  the  society  of 
an  ungodly  world,  we  are  thus  graciously  permitted  to 
enjoy  the  pleasures  of  society  and  companionship  with 
those  who  love  the  Lord.  Nothing  struck  me  more 
forcibly  when  my  own  mind  was  directed  to  seek  the  one 
thing  needful,  than  the  difference  between  the  friendship 
of  the  world  and  that  friendship  founded  on  Christian 
principles,  proceeding  from  our  common  union  in  the  faith 
of  Jesus.  What  has  become  of  all  those  who  professed 
friendship  in  the  days  of  worldly  gaiety  and  dissipation? 
Tiieir  friendship  is  like  the  wind — hollow,  empty,  and 
passing  away;  while  that  of  Chribtians  never  fails,  and 
neither  time  nor  distance  ever  obliterates  it.  Every  day 
shews  me  the  necessity  of  making  the  line  of  separation 
between  the  world  and  the  disciple  of  Jesus  more  clear 
and  decided.  And  while  in  the  estimation  of  many,  one 
may  be  set  down  as  morose  and  unsociable,  and  over- 
precise,  I  am  satisfied  that  every  step  towards  worldly 
compliance  is  a  step  in  the  wrong  direction,  and  a  step 


'  -l 


CHRISTIAN  AND  WORLDLY  FRIENDSHIP  CONTRASTED.    149 


towards  the  loss  of  that  peace  which  is  the  result  of  keep- 
ing the  conscience  void  of  offence,  and  which  is  the  only 
thing  really  worth  possessing.  The  opinion  of  the  world 
is  but  a  light  matter,  and  the  friendship  of  the  world  is 
enmity  with  God  All  that  is  in  the  world  is  not  of  the 
Father,  but  is  of  the  world.  We  cannot  do  both- — serve 
God  and  the  world  together;  Christ  has  declared  it  to  be 
an  impossibility.  If  you  should  seek  as  your  friends  and 
companions  those  who  are  religious,  doubtless  you  will 
find  some,  though  their  number  may  be  few,  and  they  will 
be  despised  by  the  thoughtless  around  them;  but  if  you 
make  friends  of  such,  you  will  find  that  their  friendship  is 
genuine  and  lasting. 

"  What  I  want  myself,  and  what  we  all  want,  is  more 
of  the  love  of  Christ  in  the  ^art.  This  would  make  us 
out  of  love  with  the  world,  and  we  should  then  esteem  all 
else  but  that  which  is  connected  with  God  and  eternal 
things  as  beneath  our  proper  regard.  I  am  ashamed  at 
feeling  so  little  desire  to  live  for  God.  When  I  ask  myself, 
What  am  I  doing,  or  trying  to  do,  for  Him?  the  answer  is, 
'Nothing.'  Instead  of  earnestly  labouring  for  others,  I 
am  content  to  sit  down  selfish  and  unconcerned,  so  as  I 
can  only  feed  my  own  soul.  But  this  is  not  the  spirit  of 
Him  who  pleased  not  Himself,  and  whose  meat  and  drink 
it  was  to  do  the  will  of  His  Father. 

"  I  hope  you  are  going  on,  dear  H  ♦  «  *,  in  the  right 
way.  '  Follow  on  to  know  the  Lord,'  and  in  *  the  knowledge 
and  love  of  God  and  of  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.'  For  my 
own  part,  I  have  often  to  bewail,  with  shame  and  sorrow, 
that  I  have  backslidden  rather  than  advanced,  and  often 
does  my  ungrateful  heart  seem  altogether  to  have  left  its 


J  50 


CHOICE  OF  FRIENDS. 


first  love.  God  will  have  us  to  know  that  our  spiritual 
life  is  a. constant  uninterrupted  conflict  against  the  powers 
of  darkness  and  the  corruptions  of  our  naturally  depraved 
hearts.  He  will  have  us  to  learn,  by  sad  experience,  that 
without  Christ  we  can  do  nothing;  that  our  only  strength 
lies  in  His  grace,  and  that  we  can  only  be  preserved  from 
falling  by  constant  watching,  waiting,  praying,  and  look- 
ing at  Him.  The  eye  of  faith  once  taken  away  from 
Christ,  and,  like  Peter,  we  shall  sink  in  the  waves  of 
temptation.  Oh  I  may  we  ever  look  to  Him.  *  Abide  in 
me,*  says  Jesus,  'and  I  in  you;  so  shall  ye  have  much 
fruit.'  Are  we  abiding  in  Jesus,  and  what  fruit  are  we 
bearing?  And  now,  dear  H  «  «  «,  good-bye.  "What 
subject  should  we  delight  to  write  about  and  to  speak 
upon  so  much  as  '  the  things  that  belong  to  our  eternal 
peace.'  Grod  bless  you,  dear  H  «  «  «.  Pray  for  your 
afiectionate  brother,  M.  M.  H." 


• 


So  he  speaks  of  the  blessing  of  Christian  friendship,  in 
a  letter  to  Captain  D  «  «  « : — 

*' Aprils,  1851. 

"  Is  not  the  superiority  of  Christian  friendship  made  to 
appear  in  this  respect,  that  it  is  permanent,  while  the 
friendship  of  the  world  is  transient  and  uncertain.  As 
members  of  the  same  family,  we  feel  that  we  have  all 
things  in  common — the  same  desires,  feelings,  hopes,  joys, 
temptations;  there*" ire,  there  is  perfect  sympathy  between 
all  the  members  of  the  body." 


: 


f 


And  so  again,  in  one  of  his  last  letters  written  on  his 
way  out  to  the  Crimea: — 


HIS  AFFECTION  FOR  HALIFAX. 


151 


m 


"One  of  the  passengers,  an  invalid  lady,  is  a  true 
Christian,  and  I  look  forward  to  much  comfort  in  her 
companioas/iip.  There  is  a  peculiar  pleasure  in  meeting 
with  a  servant  of  Christ  unexpectedly." 

And,  writing  again  from  Malta,  he  says: —  . 

"Mr  H  «  «  «  preached  in  his  usually  earnest  and 
striking  style.  I  spent  half  an  hour  afterwards  with  those 
dear  peOi>le,  and  felt  what  I  have  often  done  before — ^what 
a  depth  and  warmth  there  is  in  Christian  friendship  which 
we  look  in  vain  for  in  the  world.  ,  .  .  You  may  imagine 
also  how  much  I  miss  Mrs  w  «  «  (a  passenger  who  left 
them  at  Malta).  To  her  I  could  speak  of  home,  besides 
the  sympathy  we  had  in  spiritual  things.  Don't  you 
think  we  ought  to  look  on  these  unexpected  meetings  with 
feUow-Chjistians,  to  strengthen  and  comfort  our  hearts  m 
times  of  trial,  as  special  proofs  of  our  heavenly  Father's 
love?" 

The  motives  from  whence  his  fnendship  sprung  ex- 
tended beyond  persons — to  places.  At  Halifax  his  new 
life  began,  and  he  always  spoke  of  that  town  with  the 
warmest  affection.  Writing  two  years  afterwards,  in 
September  1848,  to  one  of  his  friends  there,  he  says:— 

"It  is  long  since  I,  or  any  of  us,  have  heard  from 
Halifax.  We  seem  almost  to  have  lost  sight  of  that  ever 
memorable  place.  But  I  hope  I  shall  never,  as  long  as  I 
have  the  breath  of  life,  forget  to  plead  for  that  place  where, 
as  I  humbly  trust,  *I  was  born;'  and  for  those  kind 
brethren  and  sisters  to  whose  love,  and  counsel,  and 
spiritual  existence  I  owe  so  much,  as  the  instruments,  in 


152 


CHOICE  OF  FRIENDa 


the  hand  of  God,  by  whom  I  believed.  I  love  to  look 
back  on  those  blessed  days  of  peace  and  great  joy,  of 
bright  hope  and  heavenly  desires,  which  a  God  of  love 
gave  me  to  taste  on  first  setting  out  on  the  journey  home- 
wards. Alas !  when  I  look  within,  what  cause  is  there  for 
humiliation,  sorrow,  and  self-abasement  1  .  .  .  Pardon  me 
for  writing  thus  about  myself;  Halifax  so  brings  back  to 
me  the  remembrance  of  the  past,  that  I  could  not  forbear. 
And  oh!  may  it  said  of  many  souls,  as  I  humbly  trust  and 
earnestly  pray  that  it  may  be  said  of  mc,  and  many 
others,  in  that  day  when  the  Lord  Jesus  makes  up  His 
jewels,  '  Lo,  this  and  that  man  was  bom  there!'" 

In  a  letter  recently  quoted,  the  writer  goes  on  to  say: — 


"  When  Captain  Hammond  was  at  Kingston,  I  think  he 
came  out  most  in  striving  to  do  what  he  could  for  the 
poor  of  the  town.  I  remember  hearing  much  of  his  work 
from  the  mouths  of  many  of  those  who  were  afllicted,  and 
on  whom  he  spent  so  much  of  his  time.  I  have  always 
heard  the  most  delightful  expressions  of  their  love  for  him. 
Many  interesting  cases  he  left  for  us  to  look  after.  One, 
in  particular,  I  must  give  you  before  I  conclude.  A  sweet 
little  girl  named  Angelina,  one  of  his  class  in  the  Sunday- 
school,  was  taken  ill,  and  went  into  a  slow  consumption. 
Maxy  attended  this  sweet  little  patient  almost  daily; 
striving  to  lead  the  mind  of  the  little  Sufterer  to  that 
Saviour  who  was  waiting  to  hear  her  first  prayer  for  par- 
don and  reconciliation  through  His  blood.  By  little  and 
little  the  light  dawned  in  upon  her  soul ;  and  through  the 
instrumentality  of  our  beloved  Maxy,  with  the  assistance 


n 


T^^m 


ANGELINA  AND  HER  FATUJilB. 


153 


of  the  blessed  Spirit,  that  little  one  was  brought  into  the 
fold  of  Christ.  But  this  was  not  all ;  Angelina's  father, 
during  her  illness,  was  attacked  with  dropsy,  and  endured 
the  most  intense  suflfering.  He  could  not  but  hear  the 
admonitions  and  messages  of  love  which  Maxy  Ham- 
mond almost  daily  gave  to  his  little  daughter,  and  from 
his  own  lips  he  told  me  that  those  words  addressed  to 
his  dying  daughter,  were  the  means  used  to  lead  him  to 
the  same  blessed  Saviour.  He  died  full  of  faith ;  and  thus 
two  of  one  family,  through  Maxy's  instrumentality,  are 
now  joining  hitti  in  ascribing  praise  and  glory  to  Him  who 
had  loved  them,  saved  them,  and  now  glorified  them." 

"He  also"  (writes  Dr  M  «  »  *)  "took  a  very  warm 
interest  in  a  poor  lad  of  the  name  of  Fitzgibbon ;  and  was 
most  attentive  to  him  when  on  his  death-bed.  He  was,  I 
believe,  a  pupil  in  the  Sunday-school;  and  his  religious 
impressions,  I  think  it  probable,  were  first  received  from 
our  dear  friend  Captain  Hammond.  I  have  heard  a  pious 
carpenter  speak  with  much  afiection  of  his  humility  in 
stopping  to  speak  to  him  when  walking  with  other  ofBcers." 


'g3»SS*S 


154 


SYMPATHY. 


OHAPTEKXL 

"As  in  water  faee  answeretb  to  face,  so  the  heart  of  man  to  man." 
— Pbovebbs  xxviL  19. 

Captain  Hammond's  attempts  as  a  public  speaker,  when 
special  occasions  called  him  into  a  position  very  foreign 
to  his  modest  and  retiring  disposition,  are  referred  to  in 
the  succeeding  letters. 


"  I  believe  his  first  attempt  at  public  speaking  was  made 
at  a  meeting  for  our  Church  Society.  We  h-'d  resolved  to 
visit  during  the  winter  some  of  our  backwood  parishes. 
It  was  with  some  difficulty  that  I  persuaded  him  to  make 
the  first  attempt.  That  was  so  successful,  however,  that, 
having  arrived  at  a  village  twenty-fi^'e  miles  from  this,  at 
the  meeting  held  in  the  church,  he  again  spoke.  On  our 
return,  he  was  induced  to  take  the  chair  at  the  anniver- 
sary of  our  association  in  connexion  with  the  Eeligious 
Tract  Society.  Few  would  have  believed  how  recently  he 
had  become,  in  any  sense,  a  public  man.  His  presiding 
on  that  occasion  was  marked  by  a  dignified  self-com- 
posure; and  when  be  opened  the  business  of  the  evening 
bis  language  was  so  appropriate  and  so  fluent,  that  none 


I 


SPEAKIMti  IN  I'UliLlC. 


lo5 


could  have  imagined  their  chainnan  to  have  been  an  orator 
of  a  week  old." 

Allusion  is  also  made  to  Captain  Hammond's  successful 
essays  on  the  platform,  in  a  letter  dated  January  8, 1856 : — 


*'  Captain  Hammond/'  the  writer  says,  "  was  a.n  active 
member  of  the  Committee  of  the  Auxiliary  Bible  and 
Tract  Society  of  Kingston ;  and  he  appeared  on  the  plat- 
formj  at  their  anniversary  meetings,  to  advocate  their 
claims  upon  public  support  and  sympathy.  He,  with  a 
most  zealous  follower  of  Christ — ^Dr  M  *  ♦  « — were,  if 
I  remember  right,  the  efficient  instruments  in  resusci- 
tating these  societies,  which,  before  then,  were  compara- 
tively lifeless.  He  also  attended  the  public  meetings  of  the 
Church  Society  in  its  parochial  associations.  Wherever 
he  appeared,  his  speeches  were  marked  for  manliness, 
fluency,  and,  above  all,  spirituality  of  tone  and  senti- 
ment He  had  the  gift  of  speaking  in  public  with 
freedom  and  ease — ^from  which,  and  his  devotion  to  the 
cause  of  Christ,  many  thought  that  his  talents  were  emi- 
nently suited  for  the  ministry  of  the  gospel" 

He  himself  passinglj^  refers  to  his  own  feelings  on  those 
occasions,  in  a  note  from  Kingston,  February  14,  184)8: — 

"  We  get  plenty  of  excellent  tracts  and  books  from  the 
Religious  Tract  Society,  of  wliich  there  is  a  deposit6ry 
here.  The  branch  society  of  Kingston  has,  however,  been 
almost  dead  for  the  last  fourteen  years.  They  have  this 
year  been  making  aji  effort  to  revive  it.     A  committee 


156 


SYMPATHY. 


has  been  formed,  and  a  public  meeting  held  for  the  pur- 
pose of  re-forming  it.  What  do  you  think  of  my  having 
had  to  second  a  resolution,  and  make  a  speech  from  the 
platform  ?  Fancy  if  you  could  have  been  there  to  have 
heard  it  1  The  speech  was  short,  and  the  speaker's  trepi- 
dation very  painful.  We  cannot  tell,  until  the  collections 
have  been  made,  how  far  this  effort  will  succeed;  but  we 
trust  something  may  be  done — ^and  the  object  is  a  very  im- 
portant one — for  this  society  is  the  only  channel  through 
which  sound  religious  publications  are  brought  amongst 
the  people  in  these  backwoods  of  Canada."  .... 


n 


The  letter  concludes: — 


"  I  told  you  of  the  illness  of  my  Mend,  Mr  Bogers. 
He  is  slowly  recovering,  but  not  yet  able  to  leave  his  bed. 
Poor  man  I  no  sooner  are  the  anxieties  for  his  own  life 
concluded,  than  he  is  called  upon  to  resign  a  dear  child 
into  the  hands  of  his  heavenly  Father.  The  eldest  daugh- 
ter, a  lovely  girl,  caught  the  scarlet  fever,  and  died  after 
nine  days'  illness.  She  was  the  sweetest  child  I  ever  knew, 
and  when  I  went  to  call  there,  she  used  to  meet  me  with  as 
much  affection  and  delight  as  if  I  had  been  her  own  brother. 
But,  besides  her  liveliness  of  natural  disposition,  she  was 
evidently  a  true  lamb  of  Christ/s  flock,  and,  young  as  she 
was,  she  had  given  decided  evidence  of  having  received 
the  grace  of  God  into  her  heart ;  so  that  she  did  not  fear 
to  die,  but  was  enabled  to  believe  that  Jesus  would  re- 
ceive her  to  HimseE  Is  it  not  beautiful  to  witness  a 
living  example  of  that  truth,  that  out  of  the  mouths  of 
babes  and  sucklings  He  has  ordained  strength  V 


i 


r  -^T^ws  vtr  ir »%  ■•■ 


I 


•^pnif'-' 


'I 


INTEREST  IN  THE  AFFAIRS  OF  OTHERS. 


157 


1^' 


Like  Him  who  was  "  touched  with  a  feeling  of  our  infir- 
mities," and  to  whose  image  Captain  Hammond  strove  to  be 
conformed,  he  too,  in  reality,  entered  into  the  cares  and 
sorrows  of  his  brethren  in  Christ.  Sympathy  was  strongly 
implanted  in  his  nature.  Even  in  the  little  concerns  of 
daily  life  he  entered  readily  and  heartily  into  the  hopes, 
pleasures,  and  wishes  of  others.  He  thought  no  matter 
too  little  for  an  exercise  of  his  affection ;  and  speaking 
once  to  a  brother,  he  seriously  censured  him  for  being  ab- 
sent; saying,  that  nothing  chilled  people  so  much  as  not 
gaining  another's  attention,  and  that  few  qualities  were 
mere  productive  of  influence  than  the  power  of  real  sym- 
pathy.   Of  him  it  might  justly  be  said  that — 

"  Toujours  vivant  dans  autrui, 
Jamais  I'Amiti^  sur  la  terre 
N'eut  un  plus  digne  sanctuaire : 
Jamais  le  Malheur  n'eut  un  plus  ferme  appui." 

Guided  by  such  a  motive  in  minor  matters,  when  ieal 
sorrow  came  his  heart  was  touched  with  the  keenest  and 
most  genuine  feeling,  and  perhaps  it  would  not  be  easy  to 
find  a  more  touching  expression  of  genuine  sympathy, 
than  that  which  is  breathed  throughout  a  letter  written 
to  a  friend  on  the  death  of  a  mother,  dated  Kingston, 
July  14,  1848.  After  referring  to  the  accidental  way 
in  which  the  intelligence  had  reached  him,  and  to  his 
apparent  neglect,  he  says : — 

"  It  would  have  been  cruel  indeed  not  to  have  sent  some 
expression,  however  insufficient,  of  my  sympathy  for  you 
and  your  bereaved  father  and  sisters.  But  what  shall  I 
say,  what  can  T  say  ?   Alas !  words  are  not  equal  to  bind 


I 


158 


gYMPATHY. 


up  the  broken  heart  We  turn  in  vain  to  any  creature  to 
supply  such  a  gap  as  that  which  your  family  has  now  to 
mouni  over.  Next  to  a  husband  or  wife,  that  of  a  mother 
to  her  children  is  the  dearest  of  all  natural  ties.  Who  can 
supply  her  place  when  she  is  gone  ?  Whose  heart  yearns  so 
tenderly  towards  those  who  are,  as  it  were,  part  and  parcel 
of  her  very  being— bone  of  her  bone  and  flesh  of  her  flesh? 
Whither,  then,  my  beloved  brother,  can  I  look  with  you 
for  consolation  in  your  distress?  We  must  look  up  to 
where  she  is  gone  before,  beyond  the  world's  horizon,  to 
the  realms  of  bliss,  where  her  redeemed  soul  is  now  en- 
joying the  fruition  of  hope ;  and  forward  to  the  day  when 
we  also  shall  see  Jesus  eye  to  eye ;  and,  in  company  with 
the  spirits  of  the  just  made  perfect,  shall  unite  in  the  song 
of  praise  to  Him  who  loved  us  and  gave  Himself  for  us. 
We  walk  by  faith  and  not  by  sight.  The  dispensations  of 
our  heavenly  Father  may  appear  dark  and  strange  to  our 
feeble  faith  now;  the  way  by  which  He  leads  us  to  the 
heavenly  Canaan  is  strewed  with  trials,  afflictions,  bereave- 
ments, losses,  sickness,  sorrows,  and  heavines&os;  but  we 
shall  see  hereafter  (and  in  some  slight  degree  we  see  it 
even  now)  how  necessary  it  was  for  us  that  we  should 
have  passed  this  way.  We  must  pass  through  much  tri- 
bulation ;  but  how  light  will  it  appear  when  we  enter  into 
the  kingdom  of  glory!  Weeping  may  endure  for  a  night, 
but  not  always — great  joy  is  coming  in  the  morning  of 
the  everlasting  day.  Here,  we  are  too  ready  to  look  to 
creature  comforters ;  there,  God  will  wipe  away  all  tears 
from  our  eyes.  I  feel  assured  that  you  will  have  found 
Him  to  have  been,  and  still  to  be.  a  very  present  help  in 
this  your  time  of  need. 


MM*M 


LETTER  ON  BEREAVEMENT. 


159 


"  I  know  not  how  I  can  better  minister  to  yovi  in  your 
sorrow,  than  by  trying  to  commend  you  and  yours  to 
Him  who  wept  with  Lazarus'  friends.  J<?sus  was  em- 
phatically the  man  of  sorrows.  He  drank  the  cup  of  grief 
to  the  very  dregs.  You  may  not  find  any  fellow-creature 
to  enter  into  the  depth  of  your  heart  bitterness,  but  He 
knows  all.  He  has  a  fellow-feeling  as  man — as  God-man. 
He  is  afflicted  in  your  afflictions.  You  are  members  of 
His  body.  Does  not  the  head  symp  thise  with  the  smallest 
of  its  own  members?  Surely  He  does,  for  *  he  that  is  joined 
to  the  Lord  is  one  spirit.'  My  prayer  for  you  is,  that  you 
may  know  Him  at  this  time  as  your  comfort,  whence  you 
may  draw  consolation  and  grace  suited  to  your  necessity ; 
that  you  may  so  set  your  affections  on  the  things  which 
are  above  at  His  right  hand,  that  present  affliction  may 
appear  as  light  when  compared  with  that  eternal  weight 
of  glory ;  that  you  may  be  enabled  to  trust  Him  as  a  faithful 
covenant  God,  in  the  darkest  and  most  trying  hour;  and 
that  you  may  be  purified,  and  rendered  more  like  Him 
whose  name  you  bear.  But,  alas,  my  prayer^!  How 
unable  am  I  to  pray  even  for  myself,  much  less  for  others ! 
I  rather  need  your  prayers.  Our  great  High  Priest  has 
your  name  upon  His  breastplate  of  love.  He  knows  all 
your  wants,  and,  doubtless,  He  will  supply  all  your  need, 
according  to  the  riches  of  His  grace.  He  delights  in 
dispensing  His  richest  blessings  to  poor  sinners  of  man- 
kind. To  those  who  come  to  Him  empty,  He  says,  *  Open 
thy  mouth  wide,  and  I  will  fill  it;'  'Prove  me  now,  if  I 
will  not  open  the  windows  of  heaven,  and  pour  down  a 
blessing  upon  thee,  that  there  will  not  be  room  to  contain 
it.'     If  we  only  could  take  Him  at  His  word,  hov;  doubly 


s 


160 


SYMPATHY. 


happy  should  we  be  in  His  service  I  What  is  not  f?.,.  to 
His  people?  As  sonft  one  truly  remarks,  He  calls  L  a\- 
self  'I  am.'  What  does  any  or  all  require?  I  am  every- 
thing. Are  you  in  sorrow?  He  is  the  God  of  all  comfort. 
Are  you  in  grief?  He  healeth  the  broken-hearted,  and 
bindeth  up  their  griefs.  Are  you  sorrowing  over  the 
grave  of  a  dear  relative?  He  is  the  husband,  father, 
friend,  and  brother  of  His  people.  His  love  far  exceeds 
that  of  a  mother  to  her  sucking-child.  May  He  be  pre- 
cious to  your  soul  in  this  season  of  trial  I  May  the  eternal 
God  be  your  refuge,  and  underneath  the  everlasting  arms 
of  His  love,  to  support,  strengthen,  comfort,  and  revive 
youl 

"  I  hope  you  may  be  able  to  send  me  some  more  parti- 
cular account  of  your  dear  mother's  last  illness  and  death. 
How  blessed  to  the  mourner's  heart  to  have  a  bright  hope 
of  the  departed  one !  To  be  able  to  look  to  the  testimony 
of  a  life,  as  well  as  that  of  a  dying  bed,  as  an  evidence  of 
the  preparedness  of  the  soul  to  enter  into  the  presence  of 
God,  such  has  been  your  happiness  in  parting  from  one  so 
dear  as  your  mother.  What  a  sweet  ingredient  is  this  in 
the  otherwise  bitter  cup !  You  need  not  sorrow  as  those 
who  have  no  hope,  for  '  if  we  believe  that  Jesus  died  and 
rose  again,  those  also  who  sleep  in  Jesus  shall  God  bring 
with  Him.*  '  Yet  a  little  while,  and  He  that  shall  come 
will  come,  and  shall  not  tarry ! '  In  how  short  a  time  who 
can  tell?  Each  month,  week,  day,  hour  is  lessening  the 
distance  between  us  and  our  Father's  house.  '  Now  is  our 
salvation  nearer  than  when  we  believed.'  A  few  more 
years,  or  perhaps  only  weeks,  of  conflict  and  struggle  with 
sin  and  Satan ;   a  little  more  endurance  of  the  burden 


f  / 


m  ii 


=fi^5ESr5^ 


LETT£B  ON  UU&£AV£M£NT. 


IGl 


and  heat  of  the  day;  and  then  farewell,  an  everlasting 
farewell,  to  sin  and  its  accompaniments — pain  and  sorrow. 
Oh  I  may  we  be  stirred  up  by  the  warnings  of  God's 
afflictive  dispensations  U  make  our  calling  and  election 
sure ;  and  may  we  be  more  in  earnest  in  following  them, 
who,  through  faith  and  patience,  now  inherit  the  promises, 
as  they  followed  Christ;  considering  the  end  of  their  con- 
versation, Jesus  Christ,  'the  same  yesterday,  to-day,  and 
for  ever/  How  needful  are  all  these  trials  to  keep  us  in 
remembrance  of  oui*  stranger  and  pilgrim  condition 
here,  and  to  teach  us  to  lay  up  for  ourselves  treasures 
in  heaven,  from  which  neither  death  nor  life  can  sepa- 
rate us? 

"  I  trust  you  have  been  enabled,  not  only  to  submit  to 
the  will  of  God,  but  to  acquiesce  in  it  from  a  conviction 
that  He  doeth  all  things  well  That  you  can  not  only 
say,  'His  will  be  done,'  but  can  also  add  with  Job, 
'  Blessed  be  the  name  of  the  Lord,*  '  Now,  we  know  in 
part'  only;  we  do  not  know  the  reason  for  all  that  befalls. 
But  that  day  is  at  hand  when  we  shall  know  even  as  we 
are  known;  when  we  shall  bless  His  name  for  every 
stroke  of  His  rod,  for  every  dark  and  trying  hour.  And, 
besides  this,  when  the  corn  is  ripe,  must  it  not  be  gathered? 
Ought  not  the  Husbandman  to  lay  it  up  in  His  bam?  Is 
there  not  matter  of  thanksgiving  that  a  beloved  object  is 
beyond  the  reach  of  sin,  and  ail  the  misery  that  is  in  the 
world — *  taken  away  from  the  evil  to  come  ? '  We  could  not 
wish  one  of  those  clothed  in  white  robes,  who  have  *  come 
out  of  great  tribulation,  and  have  washed  their  robes  and 
made  them  white  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb,'  back  again  to 
this  world,  which  lieth  in  wickedness.      Death  is  gain, 

L 


l,\ 


162 


SYMPATHY. 


indeed,  to  the  child  of  God.  *  It  doth  not  yet  appear  what 
we  shall  be ;  but  we  know  that  we  shall  be  like  Him,  for 
we  shall  see  Him  as  he  is.' 

""What  a  heavy  blow  this  will  be  to  all  your  family! 
Your  poor  father!  None  but  a  husband,  as  he  was,  can 
conceive  the  depth  of  the  wound  caused  by  the  taking 
down  of  h.df  the  tabernacle.  Your  sisters,  too,  how  much 
will  they  feel  the  loss  of  her  who  was  their  guide  and 
counsellor !  How  graciously  your  return  home  seems  to 
have  been  ordered,  as  though  you  were  sent  by  the  Great 
Shepherd  to  cheer  your  beloved  mother  in  the  passage 
through  the  dark  valley !  How  great  must  have  been  your 
grief,  in  coming  home,  to  find  her  so  ill;  and  how  thankful 
must  you  have  been  to  have  been  permitted  the  great  pri- 
vilege of  seeing  her  once  more  in  the  land  of  the  living ; 
and,  perhaps,  of  administerirg  to  her  temporal  and  spiritual 
comforts,  for  Christ's  sake ! 

"  But  I  must  draw  my  letter  to  a  close.  I  fear  my 
attempt  to  speak  a  word  in  season,  in  your  affliction,  will 
avail  but  little.  Man  cannot  comfort  his  brother  in  sor- 
row. But  Jesus,  if  He  will,  may  use  the  feeblest  and 
most  unworthy  for  this  purpose.  May  He  speak  to  your 
heart,  and  pour  in  the  balm  and  oil  of  His  own  grace ! 
May  He  manifest  Himself  to  you  as  He  does  not  to  the 
world !  May  He  cheer  you  with  the  light  of  His  counte- 
nance !  May  He  direct  your  mind  to  that  blessed  hope  of 
everlasting  life  which  is  before  you  I  And  may  He  enable 
you  to  press  forward,  with  renewed  vigour,  to  the  obtain- 
ing of  the  prize  of  your  high  calling ! 

"  I  will  write  to  you  again  soon,  but  I  do  not  feel  in- 
clined to  go  on  to  other  subjects  now.     Remember  me  in 


•  .1" 


w 


REUNION  WITH  THOSE  GONE  BEFORE. 


163 


your  prayers,  and  believe  me  to  be  your  aflfectionate  friend 
in  the  bonds  of  Jesus  Christ, 

**  M.  M.  Hammond." 

At  a  later  period  of  his  life,  when  his  own  happiness 
seemed  to  be  complete  in  his  marriage,  and  he  is  writing 
to  a  friend,  herself  a  mourner,  the  power  of  sympathy,  to 
which  we  have  been  referring,  springs  up,  as  it  were,  from 
the  deep  fountains  of  his  own  joy.  Instantly  he  sees 
reflected  there  the  widow's  sorrow,  and  he  places  himself 
in  her  place:— 

"  Do  accept  our  united  thanks  for  your  good  wishes,  for 
I  know  the  kind  of  things  that  you  desire  for  us — even 
spiritual  blessings  in  heavenly  places  in  Christ,  These 
will  outlive  the  earthly  union.  For  those  who  are  united 
to  Jesus  will  sit  down  at  the  marriage-supper  of  the  Lamb ; 
and  the  union  begun  on  earth  will  be  perfected  and  per- 
petuated at  that  great  and  glorious  day  of  our  Lord's 
appearing.  For  that  day  you  are,  doubtless,  waiting  and 
longing.  The  sweet  thought  of  a  reunion,  at  no  distant 
day,  with  the  dearest  of  all  earthly  objects,  must  many  a 
time  have  afforded  a  balm  to  your  fainting  and  sorrowing 
spirit.  I  daresay  you  are  familiar  with  the  beautiful 
lines  of  Edmonstone's  : — 

" '  The  love  that  seems  forsaken 
When  friends  by  death  depart. 
In  heaven  again  shall  waken, 
And  repossess  the  heart.' 


■i 


d 


> » 


Ji 


\u 


FERVENT  IN  aPlKlT. 


w 


CHAPTER  XIL 

Jftrfrcnt  III  Spirit 

**  Oh  !  happy  rest,  if  once  the  race  were  run  f 
Oh  !  blessed  slumbers,  if  the  fight  were  won ! 
Dreams  that  were  sweet  at  eve,  at  noon  were  sin, 
With  foes  to  conquer  and  a  goal  to  win." 

Oxford  Prize  Poem. 

The  year  1 848  is  fresh  in  our  recollections  as  ushered  in 
with  clouds  charged  with  revolution  and  disaster  to  so 
many  states  of  Europe,  while  in  our  own  favoured  land 
their  shadow  was  scarcely  cast.  Canada,  too,  remained 
comparatively  quiet.  But  in  all  countries  the  political 
horizon  looked  gloomy  and  doubtful.  Of  those  who 
thought  at  all,  there  were  doubtless  many  who  discovered 
in  those  signs  of  the  times,  in  those  "  wars  and  rumours  of 
wars,  and  distress  of  nations,"  matter  for  deep  and  solemn 
speculation.  The  next  letter  is  dated  Kingston,  May  2, 
1848,  . 


"My  deaeest  Father, — Our  English  mail  came  in 
yesterday.  Your  letters  were  full  of  interest  to  me,  as  I 
wished  much  to  hear  your  views  of  the  state  of  affairs  in 
Britain  and  Europe,  and  the  account  you  give  me  is  indeed 
appalling.     But  while  we  tremble  in  looking  to  the  things 


POLITICAL  CONVULSIONS. 


165 


which  are  coming  on  the  earth,  how  thankiul  should  we 
be  that  God  has  blessed  our  nation  with  omparative 
peace!  I  trust  that,  as  a  people,  we  shall  be  preserved 
from  following  the  godless  example  of  other  nations,  and 
that  we  shall  never  forget  that  our  safety  and  strength 
lies  in  humble  dependence  on  Jehovah's  arm.  It  is  very 
remarkable  that  the  ten  horns  in  Rev.  xiii.  1,  which  repre- 
sent the  governing  powers  in  Europe,  are  first  described 
as  having  ten  crowns  upon  them,  while  the  next  time  we 
read  of  them,  in  Rev.  xvil  15-17,  we  meet  with  the  same 
ten  horns,  but  without  the  crowns,  as  if  the  reins  of  go- 
vernment had  passed  from  the  monarchy  into  the  hands 
of  the  people.  Is  not  this  a  remarkable  fact  in  connexion 
with  the  signs  of  the  times  in  which  we  live  ?  Already 
some  of  the  crowns  have  been  taken  away,  and  it  seems 
probable  that  many  others  will  follow  ere  long. 

"  As  yet  thci'e  are  no  signs  of  any  sympathetic  move- 
ment among  the  French  Canadians  of  the  Lower  Province, 
and  up  to  this  time  there  seems  no  cause  for  apprehension 
as  regards  them.  They  are  bigoted  Roman  Catholics,  but 
they  enjoy  greater  religious  liberty  than  the  Papists  in 
Ireland.  I  believe  they  are  a  quiet  an  J  ;  espectable  people, 
though  inheriting  the  excitable  V.uipLraiiM.  o  of  their 
forefathers ;  so  that  until  a  Papineau,  or  some  other 
kindred  spirit,  excites  them  to  rebeil'oi)  the^e  is  no  reason 
to  fear.  I  suspect  they  have  not  forgotten  the  lesson  they 
learned  when  they  failed  in  theii'  last  attempt. 

"  But  in  the  midst  of  these  '  wars  and  rumours  of  wars,' 
and  perplexities  and  distress  of  nati(3]is,  hov  comforting 
it  is  to  know  that  *  all  things  shall  work  togethei  for  good 
to  them  that  love  God ;'  for '  the  very'  hairs  of  the  children's 


166 


FERVENT  IN  SPIRIT. 


heads  are  all  'numbered'  So  that,  come  what  may,  if  we 
belong  to  Christ  we  need  not  be  anxious  about  the  result ; 
for  we  are  assured  that  all  things  will  be  overruled  for 
His  glory,  and  the  final  blessedness  of  His  Church ;  while 
as  individuals  we  can  safely  commit  the  keeping  of  our 
souls  to  Him  as  unto  a  faithful  Creator.  .  .  . 

"  What  better  things  can  I  wish  for  you  all  than  that 
each  succeeding  year  may  be  bringing  us  nearer  to  that 
blessed  inheritance  where,  through  the  merits  of  our 
Eedeemer,  I  pray  we  may  all  at  length  meet  to  go  out  no 
more.  In  this  sense  the  day  of  our  death  will  be  far  more 
blessed  than  the  day  of  our  birth,  for  that  will  be  our 
birthday  to  life  eternal. — With  love  to  all,  ever  your  aftec- 
tionate,  M.  M.  H." 

In  another  letter — 

"  If  we  are  in  Jesus,  we  may  in  the  midst  of  storms  lift 
up  our  head,  for  our  redemption  draweth  nigh.  V/ho  can 
tell  when  the  storm  is  to  burst  that  is  hanging  now  over 
all  Europe?  But  Jesus  holds  it  in  His  hands.  He  is 
King  of  kings  and  Lord  of  lords,  and  not  one  grain  of  His 
wheat  shall  fall  to  the  ground.  The  day  of  vengeance  to 
His  enemies  is  also  '  the  year  of  His  redeemed' — '  to  the  one 
a  savour  of  death  imto  death,  to  the  other  a  savour  of  life 
unto  life.'" 

And  so  again,  rather  later,  the  political  condition  of 
Europe  leads  him  to  advert  in  general  terms  to  the  study 
of  prophecy : — 

"  Kingston,  February  6,  1849. 

"My  DEAR  E  «  «  *, — I  have  lately  been  reading  a 


PROPHECY. 


167 


work  that  struck  me  much  on  the  subject  of  the  second 
advent,  '  Prophetical  Landmarks/  by  Bonar.  Have  you 
met  with  it?  His  argument  is  very  powerful,  and  his 
proofs  from  Scripture  very  striking.  I  have  been  very 
sceptical  on  that  subject,  but  I  feel  much  shaken  by  what 
Bonar  advances.  The  subject  is  one  of  the  deepest  im- 
portance to  individual  Christians  and  to  the  Church  at 
large;  and  certainly  demands  one's  attention,  especially 
now  that  the  signs  of  the  times  seem  to  portend  some 
mightier  convulsion  than  any  that  has  yet  taken  place. 
The  great  difficulty  in  the  study  of  unfulfilled  prophecy 
seems  to  be,  to  distinguish  between  what  is  figurative  and 
what  is  literal.  If  this  could  oe  satisfactorily  determined, 
it  would  be  comparatively  easy  to  trace  the  great  outlines 
and  leading  features  of  prophetic  interpretation." 

Very  few  who  ha,ve  read  these  letters  thus  far  can  doubt 
that  Captain  Hammond  enjoyed  a  full  assurance  of  hope; 
he  knew  on  whom  he  had  believed,  and  was  persuaded 
that  He  was  able  to  keep  that  which  he  had  committed 
unto  Him.  He  rejoiced  to  feel  that  he  was  included  in 
that  most  precious  prayer,  "  Father,  I  luill  that  they  also 
wht'Sii  thou  hast  given  md,  be  with  me  where  I  am,'' 
And  yet  he  felt  not  the  less  strongly  the  infirmity  of  our 
nature.  "  Let  him  that  thinketh  he  standeth,  take  heed 
lest  be  fall, "  was  a  thought  that,  constantly  present,  served 
to  give  to  him  that  humble  lowly  spirit  that  so  especially 
adorned  him ;  and  thus  he  writes : — 


"Kingston,  October  4,  1848. 
"  My  dear  J  *  «  ♦, — .  ...  I  often  think  of  the  sepa- 


168 


FERVENT  IN  SPIRIT. 


ration  of  the  little  flock  which  used  to  meet  together  in 
Jesus'  name  the  winter  before  last.  You  and  «  ♦  ♦  are 
the  only  two  remaining  in  Montreal.  Some  are  gone  to 
their  rest;  while  some,  alas  I  like  Demas,  have  forsaken  us, 
having  loved  the  present  world.  May  we  be  warned  by 
these !  The  greater  number  are,  I  trust,  treading  the  nar- 
row path  that  leadeth  to  eternal  life.  Amongst  these  last, 
dear  J  *  *  ♦,  you  and  I  are,  I  would  humbly  trust,  still 
to  be  found.  May  we  have  grace  given  to  us  to  walk 
worthy  of  our  high  and  holy  calling ;  that  so  *  being  faith- 
ful to  the  end,  we  may  receive  a  crown  of  ^^lory'  in  the  day 
of  the  Lord !  .  ,  .  . 

"  Have  you  called  on  the  *  «  *  yet  ?  You  may  speak 
without  reserve  on  the  subject  cf  religion ;  they  are  a  family 
growing  in  grace,  one  and  ell.  I  hope  you  will  get  inti- 
mate with  them.  .... 

"  It  was  a  great  treat  to  get  a  peep  at  you  on  our  way 
down.  How  blessed  a  thing  it  is  that  each  succeeding 
meeting  and  parting  is  bringing  us  nearer  toward  that 
time  when  we  shall  'go  out  no  more!'  But  with  these 
carnal  and  earth-bound  hearts,  how  seldom  it  is  that  wo 
can  rejoice  in  anticipation  of  so  glorious  a  prospect.  Alas ! 
it  is  too  true  that  the  cares  and  riches  and  pleasures  of  the 
world  choke  ihe  good  seed,  so  that  it  becomes  unfruitnil. 
An*!  we  find,  from  our  continual  proneness  to  depart  from 
God  and  to  returi;  to  the  beggarly  elements  of  the  world, 
that,  in  order  to  ow  being  kepi  from  falling,  there  must  be 
an  everyday  rene>voi  of  the  work  of  grace  within  us :  re- 
anointing  of  the  Spirit ;  re-baptisms ;  re-conversions ;  with 
the  necessity  of  again  and  again  applying  to  the  blood  of 
Jesus  for  cleun^ina'  from  ticisli  contnictefl  guilt.     May  we 


CHKISTIAN  DIUGENCE. 


169 


then  not  only  give  earnest  diligence  to  make  our  calling 
and  election  sure,  by  constant  persevering  prayer,  but  may 
we  be  also  faithful  to  one  another,  to  assist  one  another, 
and  'so  much  the  more  as  we  see  the  day  approaching !' 
How  ready  should  we  be  to  do  this,  if  our  own  walk  was 
close  with  Jesus,  and  our  hearts  were  in  tune  to  proclaim 
the  praises  of  redeeming  love;  and  if  our  own  experience 
could  testify  more  fiilly  to  the  preciousness  and  all-suffi- 
ciency of  Jesus.  I  feel,  for  my  own  part,  that  I  have  been 
easily  content  to  make  as  low  as  possible  a  standard  of 
religion,  so  long  as  I  might  but  just  be  within  the  walls  of 
the  city  of  refuga  I  hardly  know  when  I  am  to  awaken 
out  of  this  sleep ;  so  fearful  is  my  unbelieving  heart,  so 
ungrateful  am  I,  and  so  little  desirous  of  seeking  only  the 
2)raise  that  cometh  from  God.  It  is  well,  indeed,  for  us 
that  salvation  is  altogether  of  grace,  else  how  would  our 
little  love,  when  so  much  has  been  forgiven,  testify  against 
us?  Let  us,  then,  strive  more  than  ever  to  walk  as  becomes 
the  disciples  of  Jesus;  let  us  not  be  ashamed  to  be  known 
in  that  character;  let  us  desire  to  be  known  under  none 
other;  for  assuredly,  if  we  honour  God,  He  will  honouv 
us.  And  now  as  the  time  is  at  hand  for  our  meeting  wiih 
the  men,  I  must  conclude  this  hurried  letter.  God  bless 
you,  dear  J  «  «  *." — Ever  your  affectionate, 

«M.  M.  H.'* 


Of  the  necessity  of  daily  renewal,  Maxy  Hammond 
writes  again  in  the  Commentary  to  the  Ephesians  before 
quoted : — 

"  Religion  consists  not  merely  in  outward  morality  and 
blamelessneys  of  life,  for  this  may  be  the  natural  result  of 


170 


FERVENT  IN  SPIRIT. 


■^ 


mere  amiability  of  character,  or  the  effect  of  education. 
There  must  be  a  renewed  of  the  mind — a  desire  after  and 
love  of  holiness — a  hatred  of  evil— a  deadness  to  the 
world — a  longing  after  the  things  that  are  unseen  and 
eternal  In  like  manner  Paul  wrote  to  the  Romans  (chap, 
xii.  2),  not  merely  that  they  were  not  to  be  conformed  to 
the  world,  but  that  they  were  to  be  transformed  by  the 
renewing  of  their  minds.  I  may  be  professedly  a  follower 
of  Christ,  be  free  from  outward  grosser  sins — I  may  have 
separated  myself  from  worldly  amusements,  worldly  com- 
pany— and  yet  all  the  time  be  worldly,  covetous,  ambitious, 
vain,  and  selfish.  Oh  !  how  deeply  do  I  need  to  put  up 
the  prayer,  *  Renew  my  will  from  day  to  day !  *  The  Holy 
Spirit  must  constantly  renew  and  cleanse  it,  or  it  will 
become  as  a  garden  overgrown  with  weeds.  I  ought,  then, 
constantly  to  watch  and  pray — to  give  all  diligence,  that 
my  spirit  may  be  renewed  day  by  day,  and  more  entirely 
conformed  to  the  image  and  likeness  of  my  Saviour ;  that 
so,  while  living  in  the  world,  I  may  not  be  of  it ;  and  while 
surrounded  by  the  things  that  would  draw  my  heart  from 
Jesus,  I  may  be  renewed  more  and  more  in  the  spirit  of  my 
mind,  and  thus  *  shew  forth  the  praises '  of  Him  '  who  hath 
called  me  out  of  darkness  into  His  marvellous  light."* 


■1 


\ii 


In  the  same  spirit  he  writes  again,  about  a  year  later, 
to  the  same  friend : — 


"  Kingston,  April  2,  1849. 

.  .  .  .  "  How  much  we  need  to  exhort  one  another,  as 
well  as  to  watch  diligently  and  pray  earnestly,  lest  we 
grow  lukewarm  towards  our  blessed  Redeemer,  and  lest 


.M  .Tifillii^ttti^.. 


WATCHFULNESS. 


171 


vre  get  faint  and  weary  in  doing  His  will  Let  us  seek 
after  Paul's  spirit  and  his  fixed  resolve,  when  he  deter- 
mined to  forget  the  things  that  were  behind,  and  to  reach 
folward  to  those  things  which  were  before,  and  thus  to 
press,  with  all  earnestness,  towards  the  mark  for  the  prize 
of  the  high  calling  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus.  I  think  I  am 
discovering,  more  deeply  every  day,  the  hidden  springs  of 
iniquity  within.  What  pride,  what  self-indulgence  lurks 
in  the  secret  recesses  of  the  heart!  insinuating  themselves 
into  every  action,  and  sotting  themselves  in  opposition  to 
God.  Oh !  to  drink  intct  the  Spirit  of  Jesus.  To  learn  of 
Him  who  was  meek  and  lowly  of  heart — ^who  pleased  not 
Himself — ^who  came  not  to  be  ministered  unto,  but  to 
minister — ^who  emptied  Himself,  and  took  upon  Him  the 
form  of  a  servant — and  who  washed  the  feet  of  His 
disciples,  leaving  us  an  example  that  we  should  be  fol- 
lowers of  His  great  humility." 


Oh^^ 


rr 


/ 


Then,  again,  from  Kingston,  November  25,  1848: — 


"My  dear  J  ♦  *  *, — When  next  you  take  pen  in 
hand,  let  there  be  something  in  the  shape  of  admonition, 
that  may  set  me  to  a  deeper  search  into  my  heart,  and  less 
of  those  'pattings  on  the  back,'  with  which,  in  your 
excessive  charity,  you  are  so  ready  to  bolster  up  your 
friend.  I  hope  that  by  this  time  the  Saturday-evenings 
are  once  more  established,  not  only  for  the  good  they  are 
calculated  to  do  to  the  souls  of  those  who  attend  them, 
but  as  a  rallying-point  round  which  the  soldiers  of  Jesus 
may  gather,  and  set  up  their  banner  in  the  name  of  the 
Great  Captain  of  their  salvation.    If,  as  you  say,  there 


172 


FERVENT  IN  SPIRIT. 


are  many  who  are  decided,  surely  there  would  be  no 
difficulty  in  getting  them  together,  as  we  used  to  in 
former  times.  The  only  thing  that  needs  to  be  done,  is 
for  some  one  to  start  it.  The  effort  needs  only  to  be  made 
in  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  and  you  will  assuredly 
find  that  all  difficulties  will  then  disappear. 

"  I  aii*  truly  glad  that  you  found  your  Sunday  school  in 
a  satisfactory  state.  You  were  sent  out  to  them  just  in 
time  to  prevent  them  from  being  scattered.  You  will 
find  the  work  increasingly  interesting.  If  we  knew  how 
to  take  a  proper  view  of  it,  we  should  enter  heart  and  soul 
into  t?ie  work.  Consider  the  privilege  the  great  and 
good  Shepherd  confers  on  us — that  of  feeding  His  lambs. 
'  Simon,  son  of  Jonas,  lovest  thou  me  more  than  these? 
He  saith  unto  him.  Yea,  Lord ;  thou  knowest  that  I  love 
thee.  He  saith  unto  him,  Feed  my  lambs.'  Consider  the 
end  in  view — gathering  in  souls  to  Jesus,  training  up 
souls  for  God,  polishing  the  pearls  that  will  adorn  the 
Redcmer's  crcwn — and  consider  the  certainty  of  succ^ess; 
*  My  word  shall  not  return  to  me  void.'  *  Train  up  a 
child  in  the  way  that  he  should  go,  and  when  he  is  old  he 
will  not  depart  from  it.'  *Cast  thy  bread  upon  the 
waters,  and  thou  shalt  find  it  (it  maybe)  after  many  days.' 
Remember  it  is  not  us,  but  God  that  worketh  for  us.  It 
is  '  not  by  might,  nor  by  power,  but  by  my  Spirit,'  that  the 
name  of  Jesus  is  magnified,  and  His  strength  will  be  made 
perfect  in  weakness.  Therefore  has  He  *  ordained  strength 
out  of  the  mouth  of  babes  and  sucklings' — that  the  excel- 
lency of  the  jjower  may  appear  to  be  of  God,  and  not  of 
man — that  He  may  get  all  the  glory.  Let  these  considera- 
tions, then,  animate  and  encourage  you  in  the  tiyin;^  work 


SUNDAY  SfJHOOLa 


173 


of  teacliing  children.  Not  that  I  bring  them  forward  a  a 
anything  you  do  not  feel ;  but,  by  way  of  remembrance,  I 
would  seek  to  '  stir  up  the  gift  of  God  that  is  in  you,'  and 
call  forth  from  your  heart  some  of  those  thoughts  and 
feelings  which  are  calculated  to  encourage  and  animate 
you  in  doing  the  will  of  God.  If  we  are  to  look  for  suc- 
cess in  our  Sabbath-school  work,  the  spirit  of  prayer, 
patience,  and  entire  dependence  on  the  will  of  God,  must 
be  in  constant  and  active  exercise. 

"  So  far  from  your  system  being  a  bad  one,  I  think  it 
is  exceedingly  good;  a  re^'  course  of  instruction  is,  I 
think,  desirable,  as  they  kaui  little  in  taking  scattered 
lessons  in  all  parts  of  the  Bible.  If  I  was  beginning  in  a 
school,  I  think  I  sliould  take  a  lesson  from  the  Old  and 
New  Testament  alternately — beginning  at  Genesis  and 
Luke,  and  going  through  the  leading  histories  and  incidents 
in  the  Old  Testament,  omitting  those  of  less  consequence 
— always  explaining  the  Old  Testament  by  the  New, 
unlocking  it  by  the  gospel  key.  Have  you  any  singing? 
If  not,  you  would  find  it  an  excellent  thing  to  introduce ; 
the  children  delight  in  it,  and  it  is  useful  to  accustom 
them  to  congregational  singing. 

"  What  a  solemn  warning  is  poor  «  «  *'s  case  to  us ; 
how  loudly  it  sounds  in  our  ears  to  *  come  out  and  be 
separate,'  and  to  beware  of  'touching  the  unclean  thing!' 
Alas!  that  we  should  love  that  world  which  hated  and 
crucified  Jesus — that  we  should  seek  its  friendship,  which 
we  know  to  be  enmity  against  God.  Such,  however,  are 
our  hearts — so  prone  to  earth  that  nothing  short  of  His 
grace  who  has  overcame  the  world  can  wean  and  deliver 
us  from  its  dangerous  elements. 


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17^ 


FERVENT  IN  »PIBIT. 


''I  have  seen  very  little  of  «  «  «  lately.  He  still 
affects  to  wear  the  infidel  mask.  I  am  constrained  to 
think  it  is  merely  a  pretext  for  living  an  ungodly  life.  The 
work  of  God  appears  at  a  stand-still  among  the  men,  and 
there  are  none  to  come  out  as  champions  for  the  truth. 
But  we  *  plough  in  hope/  and  wait  in  prayer  for  the  former 
and  latter  rain.  Help  us  with  yours  aldo.  Oh !  that  our 
eye  were  single  to  Qod'a  glory;  and  our  faith  in  the  power, 
willingness,  and  all-su£Sciency  of  Jesus  unwavering.  Let 
us  pray  earnestly  that  the  winter  may  prove  a  season  of 
showers  of  blessings  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord,  both 
on  our  own  souls  and  on  the  souls  of  others.  Let  us  look 
to  Jesus,  to  'work  in  us  both  to  will  and  to  do;'  and  in  His 
strength,  relying  on  His  faithfulness,  and  resting  on  the 
promises,  let  us  expect  great  things. 

"Wherefore  has  He  redeemed  us?  That  He  might 
purify  unto  Himself  a  peculiar  people,  zealous  of  good 
works.  Why  has  He  called  us  out  of  darkness  into  His 
marvellous  light;  but  that  we  should  shew  forth  His 
praises  who  has  done  so  great  things  for  us?  For  what 
has  He  bought  us  With  the  price  of  His  own  life's  blood; 
if  it  was  not  that  we  should  give  ourselves,  and  all  be- 
longing to  us,  to  Him  as  His  purchased  property  ?  Let 
us  think,  then,  often  seriously  of  our  high  and  holy  call- 
ing; children  of  God,  disciples  of  Christ,  lights  in  the 
world,  purchased  men,  a  'peculiar  people,'  a  'royal  priest- 
hood/ a  'chosen  generation;'  and  then  remember  that,  as 
the  Father  hath  sent  Him  into  the  world,  He  hath  sent 
His  chosen  ones  to  be  Bih  witnesses,  His  representatives 
wpcfn.  the  earth.  Oh,  then,  let  us  desire  to  be  known  in 
no  other  character  than  as  His  disciples;  let  us  be  con- 


THE  CHBISTIAN  ABMOUB. 


175 


»  ,» 


tent  to  be  despised  for  Him,  and  that  we  may  be  enabled 
to  glorify  Him ;  let  us  watch  unto  prayer,  constant  prayer, 
secret^  earnest  prayer,  at  all  times,  and  under  all  circum- 
stances I  This  it  is  that  alone  makes  effectual  and  com- 
pacts together  our  Christian  armour;  without  it^  the  enemy 
finds  many  a  chink  in  which  to  thrust  his  darts.  I)o  not 
suppose  that  I  need  not  myself  the  same  urgent  exhorta- 
tions as  I  seem  to  press  upon  you.  My  very  pen  accuses 
me  of  many  shortcomings,  and  backsBdings,  and  incon- 
sistencies; but  I  would  not  be  silent  concerning  duty, 
because  of  my  failure  in  it. 

"And  now,  my  brother,  I  commend  you  to  God,  and 
to  the  word  of  His  grace.  Keep  near  to  Jesus,  abide  in 
Him»  so  shall  you  bring  forth  much  fruit — ^Ever  your 
affectionate,  M.  M.  H.'' 

"P.8. — Have  you  been  out  to  the  French  Canadian 
Missionary  Institute?  I  am  trying  to  raise  something 
for  them  at  home.  M.  M.  H." 

This  last  letter,  as  well  as  several  which  follow,  all 
written  in  1848,  whUe  they  continue  to  shew  the  free  run 
of  his  pen  upon  the  one  dominant  thought  of  his  mind, 
give  us  as  well  a  considerable  insight  into  the  feelings 
with  which  he  legfunled  his  own  inner  life. 

"  EmasTON,  October  3, 1848. 

"  Mt  deab  «  «  «, — I  think  my  desires  are  less  for 
the  things  of  this  world,  and  that  it  is  my  earnest  wish  to 
become  daily  more  conformed  to  Jesus  in  heart  and  life. 
The  language  of  my  heart  is,  '  Whom  have  I  in  heaven 
but  thee,  and  there  is  none  upon  the  earth  that  can  be 


176 


FERVENT  IN  SPIRIT. 


desired  beside  thee;'  although,  alas!  when  it  comes  to 
practice,  I  fall  miserably  short  The  service  of  Jesus  is 
indeed  a  happy  one ;  and  I  find  that  my  enjoyment  of  it 
is  proportioned  to  the  spirituality  of  my  life,  and  that  in 
this  way  diligence  in  the  performance  of  my  duties  is  in- 
separably linked  with  the  peace  of  my  soul  I  have  been 
endeavouring  to  live  more  in  the  spirit  of  prayer,  under  a 
more  habitual  sense  of  God's  presence,  and  the  nearness 
of  eternity.  What  I  want  is  more  humility  and  broken- 
ness  of  spirit,  &  deeper  sense  of  sin.  I  feel  I  do  not  hate 
sin,  or  strive  against  it  as  I  ought.  I  am  too  litUe  affected 
vrith  the  love  of  Christ,  without  which  sin  cannot  be  truly 
atoned  for,  or  the  soul  humbled. 

"  My  daily  habits  are  these: — ^Up  about  seven;  prayer 
with  my  servant  at  a  quarter  to  eight;  breakfast  at  eight; 
reading  Bible  and  prayer  till  ten;  parade,  ten  till  eleven; 
read  or  write  till  two  or  three,  with  prayer  for  family  and 
friends  during  this  time;  out  of  doors  till  dusk;  reading 
and  prayer  before  mess;  mess  till  half-past  eight;  read 
till  eleven;  prayer  and  to  bed  about  half-past  eleven. 
With  regard  to  society,  I  know  only  a  few.  I  have  de- 
termined not  to  mix  with  worldly  people  more  than  I  am 
obliged. 

"  On  Saturday  we  have  our  little  meetings  in  my  room, 
and  on  Wednesday,  also,  we  have  prayer  together,  more 
especially  for  the  regiment,  and  the  efforts  made  for  the 
spiritual  welfare  of  the  soldiers,  and  also  for  our  own 
Christian  friends  and  families.  On  Wednesday  and  Sun- 
day evenings,  too,  we  have  our  meetings  in  the  school- 
room, which,  through  the  goodness  of  God,  have  hitherto 
been  full  to  overflowing.     Last  Sunday  there  were  forty- 


O 


INNER  LIFE. 


177 


four  men  besides  ourselves,  and  women,  and  children. 
On  Sunday,  also,  I  go  to  the  hospital  after  church,  and 
have  the  men  in  for  prayer,  &c  At  present  we  are  read- 
ing the  '  Pilgrim's  Progress/  with  some  explanations,  and 
plain  words,  and  turning  to  the  Scripture  references  We 
have  also  got  some  reli^ous  books  in  circulation  among 
the  men>  and  the  Society  distribute  tracts  in  the  barrack- 
room  every  Sunday;  so  that  by  these  means,  humble 
though  they  be,  we  trust  that,  by  the  blessing  of  God, 
some  precious  souls  will  be  won  to  Christ  If  only  one 
sinner  be  turned  to  God  from  his  evil  way,  who  can  esti- 
mate the  riches  of  such  a  reward  ? 

"  I  tell  you  all  these  things,  that  you  may  know  what 
we  are  about,  and  help  us  with  your  prayer  to  God  for 
His  blessing  on  this  work  in  this  comer  of  His  vmeyard. 
I  bless  the  Lord  that  I  am  very,  very  happy,  and,  through 
His  wonderful  love,  am  kept  in  the  enjoyment  of  a  quiet, 
settled  peace,  which,  though  at  times  ruffled  and  disturbed 
by  daily  trials  and  conflicts  with  sin,  is,  indeed,  unspeak- 
ably precious.  My  own  sinfulness  and  unfruitfulness  is 
the  only  cause  of  any  depression  of  spirit;  and  this  I  need, 
to  keep  me  humble  and  self-abased,  and  to  break  my 
proud  spirit.  And  surely,  of  all  people,  a  Christian  ought 
to  be  the  most  happy,  since  '  all  things  are  theirs,  and  they 
are  Christ's,  and  Christ  is  God's.'  Let  us  give  Him  our 
whole  hearts,  bodies,  souls,  and  spirits,  to  be  His,  and  His 
only.  Let  it  be  Christ  for  us  to  live,  and  it  will  be  our 
unspeakable  gain  to  die,  for  we  shaU  depart  to  be  with 
Him.  His  love  to  us  is  an  everlasting,  unchangeable  love, 
and  who  shall  separate  us  from  it  ? 

"  I  cannot  agree  with  you  in  thinking  that  the  soul 

M 


178 


FERVENT  IN  SPIRIT. 


sleeps  till  the  day  of  judgment  Scripture  speaks  most 
fully  and  clearly  to  the  contrary.  I  refer  you  to  the 
parable  of  the  rich  man  and  Lazarus ;  the  thief  on  the 
cross ;  Judas  Iscariot,  Acts  l  25;  Stephen,  Acts  vii  59 — 
'Beceive  my  spirit;'  Paul,  2  Cor.  v.  6,  8,  and  PhiL 
].  23  ;  and  David,  P&  xliz.  15,  with  many  other  passages 
that  might  be  quoted.  The  idea  that  the  soul  will  not  be 
at  once  admitted  into  the  fulness  of  glory,  when  it  leaves 
the  body  of  sin  and  death,  might  give  rise  to  many  fears 
and  uncertain  doubts  on  a  death-bed;  and  therefore  I 
think  it  important  that  we  should  see  daily  what  Scripture 
unfolds  concerning  it.  I  cannot  doubt  of  its  immediate 
flight  to  its  own  place." 

The  next  letter  is  dated  November  1848. 

.  .  .  .  "  F  «  «  «  and  I  are  engaged  in  tract  dis- 
tribution ;  we  have  now  been  nine  months  at  it,  going 
round  once  a-week  to  the  houses  of  the  villages  close  by. 
On  the  whole,  we  meet  with  much  to  encourage,  and  in 
many  places  the  people  receive  the  word  gladly.  The 
whole  of  the  town  of  Kingston,  and  the  environs,  is  sup- 
plied in  this  manner  with  tracts  through  flie  Society.  .  .  . 

"  I  am  now  very  much  interested  in  'Keith's  Prophecies.' 
No  subject  is  so  calculated  to  confirm  me  in  the  truth  of 
God,  and  also  to  encourage  me  to  hope  in  the  fulfilment 
of  all  His  promises  ;  for  surely  not  one  word  has  failed  of 
ail  He  has  spoken ;  not  one  word  will  fail  with  regard  to 
the  future  glory  of  the  Church  ;  neither  will  one  word  fail 
with  regard  to  our  own  souls,  since  they  were  covenant 
promises — all,  yea  and  amen,  in  Christ  Jesus.  How  com- 
forting is  the  thought,  in  the  midst  of  the  conflict,  to 


"'"^llS^a"  ^Kf'!'!^'^' 


CONFORMITY  TO  THE  IMAGE  OF  JESUS. 


179 


know  that  Jesus  is  engaged  to  carry  as  through  them  all, 
and  that  He  will  not  suffer  a  hair  of  our  heads  to  be 
touched,  for  Ihe  saints  are  'preserved  in  Jesus  Christ' — 
their  '  life  is  hid  with  Christ  in  God.'  There  is  much  in 
keeping  ever  before  the  mind  the  reality  of  our  fellowship 
with  Jesus.  Losing  sight  of  this,  we  sink  under  the  cares 
and  tritUs  of  life,  and  cease  to  strive  against  the  sins 
which  so  easily  beset  us.  Let  us,  then,  press  onward, 
laying  aside  every  weight,  and  resolving,  in  the  strength 
of  Gk)d,  to  walk  more  closely  with  Him  in  holiness,  zeal, 
humility,  and  love,  making  it  the  great  aim  and  object  of 
our  lives  to  live  to  the  glory  of  our  Bedeemer,  to  sanctify 
Him  in  our  hearts,  to  exemplify  Him  in  our  lives,  to  put 
Him  forward  in  all  our  actions,  and  to  aim  at  glorifying 
Him  *  in  our  bodies  and  in  our  spirits,  which  are  His.*  Did 
we  remember  the  price  at  which  we  have  been  redeemed 
— the  sufferings  which  Jesus  underwent  to  buy  his  sons 
to  glory — ^we  should  feel  more  deeply  that  we  are  not  our 
own,  and  act  more  habitually  in  the  spirit  and  temper  of 

liis  disciples 

"  This  is  about  the  anniversary  of  €k>d's  gracious  deal- 
ings towards  me^  in  arresting  me  in  my  ungodly  career 
four  years  ago.  The  recurrence  of  such  seasons  seem 
especially  to  call  me  to  the  duty  of  self-examination  and 
prayer,  as  well  as  for  new  resolutions  for  the  time  to 
come.  Pray  for  me,  that  I  may  be  kept  faithful  unto  the 
end;  that  sin  may  not  have  the  dominion  over  me;  that 
my  own  corrupt  nature  may  not  draw  me  back  again  to 
perdition ;  that  the  world  may  not  occupy  God's  place  in 
my  heart ;  that  I  may  not  dishonour  my  Lord  and  Master 
by  my  evil  temper,  my  pride,  and  my  selfishness.     Lot  us 


J80 


FERVENT  IN  SPIRIT 


i 


pray  for  one  another.  To  keep  our  own  souls  must  be  the 
first  concern;  and  that  we  may  do  so  effectually,  there 
must  be  much  prayer,  much  feeding  on  the  Word,  medita- 
tion cultivated,  and  self-examination  practised ;  watching 
with  all  perseverance,  and  ever  looking  to  Jesus  as  the 
author  and  finisher  of  our  faith;  putting  Him  on  daily  an 
our  wisdom,  righteousness,  sanctification,  and  redemption. 
And  there  are  the  souls  of  others  ;  what  are  we  to  do  for 
them — ^relations,  friends,  companions,  and  all  over  whom 
our  influence  extends  ?  In  this  respect  we  must  seek  to  have 
fellowship  with  Christ  in  His  life — setting  before  us  the 
example  of  His  self-denial.  His  living  for  others,  His 
patience,  His  endurance  of  reproval  and  opposition,  His 
spirit  of  love.  His  zeal  for  Otod,  and  single  eye  to  His 
glory.  .... 

"Let  us  read  and  meditate  on  the  Scriptures  much 
more  than  we  have  hitherto  done.  Let  our  attention  be 
especially  directed  to  Him  who  is  the  sum  and  substance 
of  Law,  Prophet,  and  Qospel,  even  Jesus  Christ,  the  same 
yesterday,  to-day,  and  for  ever.  For,  in  so  doing,  we  shall 
enjoy  much  of  His  presence.  He  will  often  draw  near  to 
us,  and,  by  His  Spirit,  will  let  light  into  our  souls,  and 
will  *  open  ovr  understandings  to  imderstand  the  Scrip- 
tures.' We  shall  then  be  often  led  to  exclaim,  '  Did  not 
our  hearts  bum  within  us  while  Jesus  talked  to  us  by  the 
way?'  The  Scriptures  are  the  great  antidote  to  sin. 
'  Thy  word  have  I  hid  in  my  heart,  that  I  might  not  sin 
against  thee.'  ,  They  are  the  great  means  of  our  sancti- 
fication, for  they  are  the  glass  or  mirror  in  which  wd 
may  behold  the  glory  of  the  Lord  Jesus ;  in  which  jfre 
may  study  His  character,  contemplate  His  glory,  md 


^  w 


m 


■i-: 


* 


i 


t 


ASKING  FOR  BLESSINGS. 


J81 


copy  His  example;  so  that,  thus  beholding  the  glory  of 
Jesus,  we  shall  be  ciianged  insensibly,  but  really,  into 

His  image 

"  I  would  seek  to  encourage  you  to  expect  great  things 
from  God.  His  glory  is  concerned,  and  therefore  you 
may  be  bold  in  asking  largely  of  Him  for  spiritual 
blessings  on  yourself,  and  others  also.  His  will  is  our 
sanctification;  therefore  should  we  come  empty  to  Jesus, 
that  we  may  receive  out  of  His  fulness  abundant  supplies 
of  grace;  'grace  for  grace/  He  is  glorified  by  our  ad- 
vancement in  holiness;  for  it  is  not  us,  but '  Christ  in  us' 
— ^we  are  but  as  vessels.  Again,  as  regarding  others,  may 
we  not  do  much  for  others?  Here,  too,  God's  glory  is 
concerned ;  for  He  will  have  all  men  to  be  saved ;  and 
when  we  pray  to  be  made  instruments  of  leading  others 
to  Him,  whaii  is  it  but  that  Jesus  may  '  see  the  travail  of 
His  own  soul,  and  be  satisfied,'  that  more  jewels  may  be 
added  to  His  glory  ?  If  we  have  not,  it  is  because  we  ask 
not;  and  if  we  ask  and  obtain  not,  it  is  because  we  ask 
amiss.  The  consideration  of  the  shortness  of  time,  the 
value  of  souls,  and  the  Lord's  coming,  should  be  motives 
to  stir  us  up  to  diligence  in  the  work  of  Jesus;  and  the 
high  honour  of  being  v  >30ciated  with  Jesus  in  the  work  of 
the  Lord,  should  make  us  very  earnest  in  seeking  to  ad- 
vance His  glory.  I  was  much  struck  on  reading  a  tract 
by  Angell  James  on  Self-renunciation,  in  which  he  repre- 
sents the  Christian  as  God's  representative  in  the  world; 
so  that,  when  the  world  sees  a  Christian,  it  should  be  re- 
minded of  God;  and  in  this  view  take  knowledge  of  them 
that  they  have  been  with  Jesus.  And  let  us  remember, 
that  as  the  Father  sent  Christ  into  the  world  to  seek  and 


'" '  •:^  "'^y'-^^'m^i^ii^-msm 


182 


FER>EMT  IN  8PIBIT. 


to  save  the  lost,  and  to  glorify  Him  in  the  eyes  of  men,  so 
has  He  sent  as  into  the  world  for  a  like  purpose,  accord- 
ing to  our  measure — see  John  zvii  18 — ^Ever 

yours  aJOfectionately,  M.  M.  H." 

in  another  letter^^ 

**  November  27,  IS4S, 

..."  It  would  be  the  height  of  ingratitude  towards  my 
heavenly  Father,  towards  Jesus,  the  purchaser  of  inestim- 
able gifts  to  reb^ous  sinners  such  as  I,  and  towards  the 
Comforter,  the  Holy  Spirit,  who  especially  bestows  peace 
on  the  Church  of  Jesus,  were  I  not  to  acknowledge  with 
adoring  lore  and  gratitude  the  great  goodness  of  God 
towards  me,  notwithstanding  my  numerous  shortcomings 
and  daily  backslidings  in  heart  Indeed  I  have  expe- 
rienced His  faithfulness  to  a  degree  that  it  becomes  me  to 
praise  Him  with  my  whole  heart  for  mercies  so  unde- 
served And  you  will  rejoice  on  my  account,  as  well  as 
praise  His  name,  when  I  tell  you  my  peace  in  Jesus  still 
flows  as  a  river,  quietfy,  gently,  but  deeply.  I  trust  I  am 
not  deceiving  myself,  thinking  that  it  is  from  the  fountain- 
head,  even  Jesus  himself,  that  my  peace  is  derived. 
Sometimes,  indeed,  the  sur£EK^  is  ruffled  through  the 
cares  of  this  life.  But,  then,  peace  is  again  restored  with 
such  promises  as  these : — '  Him  that  cometh  to  me  I  will 
in  no  wise  cast  out'  '  I  will  never  leave  thee  nor  forsake 
thee.'  *  My  strength  is  made  perfect  in  weakness.'  .  .  . 
When  I  look  to  Jesus,  this  is  my  warrant,  and  yours  too, 
for  joy.  It  must  be  in  the  way  of  believing.  '  Joy  and 
peace  in  believing.'  Such  a  joy  as  does  not  manifest  itself 
in  the  exuberance  of  worldly  mirth.     It  is  a  joy  in  God 


II  « 


II  ri'-itirrlKliliBrrriiti""' 


-^•i-'--"''"""^ ^.- 


# 


i 


4 


HIS  OWN  B8PB0IAL  TfUAL& 


183 


through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  It  is  joined  with  fear. 
'Rejoice  with  trembling.'  It  is  entii'ely  unknown  to  the 
world,  and  often  hid  from  our  fellow-Christians — a  joy  that 
a  stranger  intermeddleth  not  with,  a  continual  feast, 
en&ughf  satisfying,  but  never  cloying.  Such  is  the  Chris- 
tian's joy.  May  you  and  I,  and  all  whom  we  love,  realise 
its  blessedness  to  a  great  degree,  until  at  last  we  enter 
into  the  joy  of  our  Lord]  ... 

"  You  speak  of  the  conflict  It  is,  indeed,  a  hard  fight 
'We  wrestle  not  against  flesh  and  blood,  but  against  prin- 
cipalities and  powers,  against  spiritual  wickedness  in  high 
places,'  &c  It  is  indeed  good  for  us  that  Qod  sometimes 
leaves  us  to  ourselves,  that  we  may  know  our  weakness 
and  proneness  to  evil,  that  so  He  may  'humble  and  prove 
us»  and  do  us  good  in  our  latter  end.'  .  .  . 

"  I  will  tell  you  of  some  of  my  especial  trials,  that  you 
may  be  enabled  to  pour  out  your  soul  in  prayer  for  me. 
Fear  of  man,  selfishness,  pride  and  slothfuluess,  and  an 
unhumbled  heart  Help  us  also  in  prayer  for  our  own 
regiment,  its  ofScers  and  soldiers,  and  pray  that  we  whu 
profess  to  be  followers  of  Christ  may  be  faithful  and  con- 
sistent in  our  walk.  Engage  the  sympathies  of  those  you 
know  who  love  the  Lord,  and  ask  their  prayers  for  the 
little  Church  in  our  regiment  .  .  .  And  now  once  more  I 
commend  you  to  God.  I  give  you  1st  John  iil  1-3  as  a 
Christmas  box. — ^Ever  your  affectionate, 

"M.M.  H" 

To  the  idea  of  being  associated  with  Christ,  partners  with 
Him  in  His  ministerial  work,  and  after  His  departure  Hisre- 
presentatives  on  earth,  he  returns  again  in  his  next  lett^ : — 


% 


K    ^# 


184 


F£RVEM  IM  BPIUIT. 


"December  12, 1848. 

"  My  very  de.\B  «  •  «, —  ...  I  have  been  thinking 
lately  of  the  honour  put  upon  us,  in  believers  being  repre- 
sented as  associated  with  Christ  in  the  great  work  of  glo- 
rifying God  in  the  salvation  of  souls;  as  appears  from  two 
verses  in  John  xvil,  the  18th  and  the  22d.  As  the  Father 
sent  Christ  into  the  world  to  glorify  Him  before  men,  and 
to  seek  and  save  the  lost,  so  has  Christ  sent  His  disciples 
into  the  world  for  a  similar  purpose ;  and  now  that  the 
Lord  and  Master  is  no  more  in  the  world,  they  are  His 
representatives  upon  earth :  the  head  represented  by  His 
members.  And  in  verse  22,  the  glory  mentioned  cannot 
be  the  glory  which  shall  be  revealed,  as  He  says,  *  I  have 
given  them.'  It  must  therefore  be  the  glory  of  gathering 
in  lost  sinners;  wherein  especially  Jesus  was  glorified,  and 
the  Father  in  Him,  and  in  which  glorious  work  and  gra- 
cious purpose  His  people  may  be  one,  even  as  they  are 
one.  If  these  things  be  so — if  this  is  indeed  the  word  of 
truth — ^what  manner  of  persons  ought  we  to  be  in  all  holy 
conversation  and  godliness  ?  How  high  and  holy  is  our 
calling  in  Christ  Jesus  !  How  great  and  glorious  the  work 
in  which  we  are  called  to  engage !  .  .  .  And  now,  good- 
bye. For  a  New  Year's  text  I  send  you  Heb.  xiii  20,  21. 
— ^Your  ever  affectionate, 

"M.  M.  H." 

There  was  evidence  enough  in  Captain  Hammond's 
own  case  of  that  light  which  he  desired  to  see  burning 
brightly  in  others.  Those  who  knew  him  were  able  to 
'take  knowledge  of  him  that  he  had  been  with  Jesus.'  It 
was  not  only  from  the  natural  frankness  of  his  character 


« ( 


M^wM^^aaaMMIlMMMMIHI 


KEBEUVE  AMONG  0HKI8TIAN8  CONDEMNED. 


185 


5 


that  one  who  afterwards  wrote  of  him  said,  "  It  was  im- 
possible to  be  mere  than  a  few  minutes  in  his  company 
before  it  was  manifest  that  he  had  chosen  the  better  part, 
and  was  a  devoted  follower  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ:"  it 
was  also,  that  he  discountenanced  that  reserve  among 
Christians  which  too  commonly  hinders  their  growth  in 
grace.  His  heart  was  full,  and  he  spoke  out  of  its  abun- 
dance, ever  touching  on  theme  i  so  congenial  to  his  spirit 
as  the  Saviour's  love.  Even  it  the  veiy  outset  of  his 
Christian  life  he  writes  with  censure  of  this  backwardness. 
He  would  say,  "The  righteousness  which  is  of  faith 
speaketh  in  this  wise.  The  word  is  nigh  thee,  even  in 
thy  mouth  and  in  thy  heart,  that  if  thou  confess  with  thy 
mouth  the  Lord  Jesus,  and  shall  believe  in  thy  heart  that 
God  hath  raised  Him  from  tho  dead,  thou  shalt  be  saved." 

In  this  wise  he  writes.  May  17,  1845.    He  says: — 

"I  cannot  tell  you  how  rejoiced  I  was  to  read  your 
delightful  and  unreserved  letter,  or  what  feelings  of  thank- 
fulness and  joy  they  produced  in  my  mind.  We  should, 
indeed,  throw  off  some  of  that  restraint  and  reserve  to 
which  we  all  seem  so  inclined.  Are  we  ashamed  of  our 
Saviour,  who  has  redeemed  us  by  His  blood?  Or  is  it  that 
fear  of  man,  that  fear  of  being  thought  righteous  over- 
much, that  fear  of  giving  offence  and  causing  disgust  to 
others,  that  makes  us  so  silent  ?  But  surely  if  God  lind 
not  first  spokfto  to  us,  and  dra^nTi  us  by  His  love  to  Jesus, 
we  never  should  have  come.  For,  as  He  says,  "  I  am  sought 
of  them  that  ask  not  for  me,  I  am  found  of  them  that 
sought  me  not;"  and  does  not  'rod  himself  expressly  tell  us 
to  speak  often  one  to  another  ?    Malachi  iii  16, 17/  Then 


sf.. 


186 


FEEVENT  IN  SPIRIT. 


they  that  feared  the  Lord  spake  often  one  to  another :  and 
the  Lord  hearkened,  and  heard  it ;  and  a  book  of  remem- 
brance was  written  before  Him  for  them  that  feared  the 
Lord,  and  that  thought  upon  His  name.  And  they  shall  be 
mine,  saith  the  Lord  of  hosts,  in  that  day  when  I  make  up 
my  jewels.'  And  how  graciously  does  He  assure  us  of 
His  approbation !  It  is  unnecessary  my  referring  to  many 
texts  on  the  subject,  as  you  are  well  acquainted  with  all ; 
but  that  one  in  Deuteronomy  vi  7,  *  And  thou  shalt  teach 
them  diligently  unto  thy  children,  and  shalt  talk  of  them 
when  thou  sittest  in  thine  house,  and  when  thou  walkest 
by  the  way,  and  when  thou  liest  down^  and  when  thou 
risest  up,'  seems  to  me  to  be  a  beautiful  and  comforting 
warrant  to  the  blessed  privilege  we  possess,  of  speaking  to 
each  other  on  the  things  that  are  uppermost  in  our  hearts, 
or  at  least  that  ought  to  be. 

"  My  birthday  is  just  passed,  too,  and  I  can  join  with 
you  in  thankfuLaess  to  the  God  of  mercy  that  it  has  been 
one  ever  to  be  remembered  by  me.  There  is  much  that 
should  sadden  us  in  looking  back  to  years  and  years 
spent  in  sin  against  God,  and  in  my  case  in  open  rebel- 
lion against  Him.  And  on  the  other  hand,  there  is  very 
much  that  should  fill  us  with  joy  and  gratitude  when  we 
review  His  wonderful  love  and  mercy,  shewn  to  us  in 
Christ  Jesus.  Every  day  seems  to  shew  me  more  and 
more  the  happiness  and  peace  of  mind  that  must  neces- 
sarily result  from  a  sincere  religion.  I  feel  too  cold  and 
indififerent  on  these  momentous  subjects.  How  needful  it 
is  to  be  continually  watching  and  praying  lest  the  light 
that  is  in  us  be  iarkness  1" 


nf 


wimem 


»'?^T"''^fiK 


PBAYEB. 


1&7 


CHAFTERXIII. 


Iragor. 


'*  There  is  an  eje  that  never  sleepa 

Beneath  the  wing  of  night — 
There  is  an  ear  which  never  shnts 

When  sink  the  beams  of  light — 
There  is  an  arm  which  never  tires 

When  human  strength  gives  way — 
There  is  a  love  which  never  fails 

When  human  loves  decay. 

That  eye  is  fixed  on  seraph  throng^ 
That  ear  is  filled  with  angels'  songs. 
That  arm  upholds  the  world  on  high, 
That  love  is  throned  beyond  the  sky. 

But  there 's  a  power  that  man  can  wield 

When  mortal  aid  is  vain, 
That  eye,  that  arm,  that  power  to  reach. 

That  listening  ear  to  gain. 
That  power  is  Prayer— which  soars  on  high, 
A£d  f^ed^  on  bliss  beyond  the  sky." 


It  is  almost  needless  to  say  that  Maxy  Hammond  rested 
on  prayer  as  one  of  the  mainstays  of  a  Christian  life — ^the 
most  indispensable  weapon  in  his  armoury — ^the  weapon 
with  which  the  Christian's  equipment  in  the  sixth 
of  Ephesians  is  summed  up  and  rendered  complete — the 
last  in  order,  nearly  the  first  in  importance.    The  girding 


18S 


PRAYEK. 


& 


of  the  loins,  the  sandals  for  the  feet,  the  shield,  the  helmet, 
the  sword,  would  all  be  still  incomplete,  were  not  the 
Christian  soldier  exhorted  to  be  found  ''praying  always 
with  all  prayer  and  supplication  in  the  Spirit,  and  watch- 
ing thereunto  with  all  perseverance  and  supplication  for 
all  saints/'  It  wou^d  almost  seem  that  he  had  special 
regard  to  the  last  clause  of  the  verse  just  cited,  when  we 
find  that  he  had  written  in  his  pocket-book  the  names  of 
his  relations  and  those  friends  in  whom  he  was  parti- 
cularly interested,  and  that  it  was  his  custom  to  present 
them  before  the  Throne  of  Grace  in  regular  daily  rotation. 
He  alludes  to  this  habit  in  a  letter  to  one  of  these 
friends: — 


"  You  propose,"  he  says,  "  that  we  should  unite  in 
prayer  for  one  another  on  some  particular  day.  I  have 
done  so  every  day  at  noon— endeavouring  to  bring  the 
particular  wants  and  circumstances  of  each  one  before  our 
common  Father;  and,  I  must  say,  I  have  often  found  it  a 
delightful  season,  when  prayer  seemed  to  bring  you  all 
into  very  close  communion.  How  unlimited  are  the  pro- 
mises to  prayer  I  Our  unbelief  would  say,  that  God  cannot 
condescend  to  hear.  But  wondrous  as  is  His  condescen- 
sion, He  does  nevertheless  hear  and  answer  ^  and  in 
answering,  abundantly  bless.  May  we  all  drink  more 
deeply  into  the  spirit  of  prayer,  and  thus  '  prove  God, 
whether  He  will  not  open  the  windows  of  heaven,  ami 
pour  out  a  blessing  that  there  shall  not  be  room  to  receive 
it ! '  I  hope  you  have  some  friends  ud  companions  with 
whom  you  can  enjoy  Christian  feUowsliip.  But  you  have 
always  with  you  the  Friend  which  sticketh  closer  than  a 


y 


^if.  -^.•* 


CHKIST  S  LOVE  UNCHANGEABLE. 


189 


brother;  and  you  have  His  comforting  assurance  thikt  He 
will  never  leave  you  nor  forsake  you.  He  is  the  same  who 
tabernacled  here  on  earth  in  human  nature  1800  years 
ago.  He  is  the  same  yesterday,  to-day,  and  for  ever 
— ^His  love  is  the  same — His  forbearing  mercy  the  same 
— ^His  sympathy  the  same — and  ELis  grace  the  same. 
*  Lo,  I  am  with  you  always.'  He  is  ever  present  to  our 
faith — ^literally  present  by  His  Spirit— to  keep,  sanctify, 
teach,  guide,  uphold,  and  comfort  His  people.  Alas !  how 
little  do  we  love  Him,  else  we  should  live  nearer  to  Him 
in  prayer  and  holy  meditation.  Well,  indeed,  may  we 
pray,  *  Lord,  increase  our  faith.'  *  Blessed  are  they  who 
have  not  seen,  and  yet  have  believed.'  Soon  we  shall  'see 
Him  as  He  is.'  Now  we  walk  by  faith;  soon  faith  will  be 
exchanged  for  sight,  and  hope  swallowed  up  in  fruition. 
May  we  cherish  this  hope  and  these  desires  more  and 
more — walk  more  humbly  and  closely  with  God — learn 
daily  to  sit  more  loosely  to  all  things  earthly,  and  set  our 
affections  more  on  things  which  are  above — Ever  your 
affectionate,  M.  M.  H." 


Some  time  later,  in  February  1 855,  we  find  him  draw- 
ing up  the  following  heads  for  family  worship : — 

"Sunday. 

"  The  Church  of  Christ. — Increase  of  grace  upon  all ; 
that  believers  may  adorn  His  doctrine,  and  glorify  His 
name ;  that  they  may  be  waiting  for  His  return ;  for  a  spirit 
of  love  and  unity,  healing  divisions ;  that  they  may  be  of 
one  heart  in  setting  forward  the  cause  of  Christ;  that  they 
may  be  m^newes  in  an  evil  world.  iti  so  va 


190 


PSAYEB. 


"  Jew8. — ^Their  conyersion  and  restoration. 

"Hearten. — ^Progress  of  the  gospel;  more  labourers 
fitted  for  the  work.  For  missionaries — ^their  difficulties, 
trials,  and  snares;  increase  of  fruit;  love  and  strength  for 
them.  Missionary  societies — guidance  for  those  who 
manage  them.  Converts — that  they  may  glorify  God  by 
their  consistent  walk. 

"  Svmday  Sckoola. — ^Teachers  and  scholars — outpouring 
of  Spirit 

Mmistera. — ^That  they  may  preach  Ohrist  fully,  and^ 
lifting  Him  up,  may  draw  all  men  unto  Hint 

"Monday. 

"  (7ottn^.— ^Thanksgiving  for  the  gospel — ^prayer  that 
the  light  of  truth  may  be  continued  to  u&  For  a  blessing 
on  home  ministry — ^for  the  rising  generation — the  preser- 
vation and  better  observance  of  the  Sabbath — for  a  spirit 
of  contentedness  among  the  poor,  and  consideration 
amongst  the  rich.    For  Ireland — ^reformation  thera 

"  Tuesday. 

"  Bible  Society,  Schools,  and  Colleges. — ^That  the  Word 
may  have  free  course,  and  be  glorified;  that  the  young 
may  be  instructed  in  truth,  and  educated  in  sound  and 
Christian  learning.  *^ 

"  Wednesday. 

"  Ministry. — ^That  ministers  may  be  qualified  for  their 
work,  and  endowed  with  faith,  patience,  meekness,  and 
steadfastness ;  that  they  may  commend  the  gospel  by  their 
lives,  may  be  preserved  from  danger  of  climate,  and  from 


mmmmm 


»mm 


HEADS  OF  PRAYER. 


idi 


wicked  men ;  praise  for  what  Gkxl  has  already  wrought 

among  the  heathen;  prayer  that  He  would  send  forth 

more  labourers. 

"Thursday. 

"  Army. — Officers,  soldiers;  women,  children;  Christian 
soldiers,  their  trials  and  temptations — ^that  th^y  may  glo- 
rify God  by  their  example;  chaplains. 

"  Religious  Societies. — That  God  may  be  glorified,  the 
gospel  diffused,  and  sinners  converted;  for  wisdom  and 
grace  for  those  who  have  the  management  of  them. 

"  Friday. 

"  The  War. — ^That  it  may  be  prosecuted  on  principles 
of  justice,  humanity,  and  the  fear  of  God  ;  for  the  protec- 
tion, deliverance,  and  success  of  our  forces  by  sea  and 
land ;  for  temperance  in  victory,  perseverance  in  difficulty, 
and  patience  in  adversity;  for  kindness  and  generosity  to- 
wards the  enemy,  returning  good  for  evil ;  for  the  sick, 
wounded,  and  prisoners,  and  those  appointed  to  die,  also 
the  bereaved;  for  the  Czar,  that  his  way  be  turned,  and 
inclined  to  peace;  for  peace  and  unity  among  nations. 

"Saturday. 

"  Ministers. — ^That  they  may  be  taught  of  God,  endued 
with  the  Spirit,  love  to  Christ,  zeal  for  the  salvation  of 
souls;  that  their  labours  may  be  blessed  in  public  teach- 
ing, and  in  all  their  pastoral  duties ;  that  they  may  adorn 
the  gospel  by  holy  and  consistent  lives." 

His  own  fixed  times  for  private  prayer  were  in  the 
morning,  at  mid-day,  and  at  night.     He  believed  that  he 


I 


it. 


192 


PRAYER. 


owed  more,  in  his  spiritual  life  and  growth,  to  this  season 
of  mid-day  prayer  than  to  any  other  means  of  graca  He 
said  that  he  more  often  enjoyed  communion  then  than  at 
any  other  time.  He  felt  the  full  value  of  a  prayerful 
spirit— of  "  continuing  instant  in  prayer  " — and  many  a 
lonely  hour  on  guard,  which  to  others  seemed  wearisome 
in  the  eidireme,  was  to  him  a  golden  season  of  happy  and  ' 
blessed  communion  with  God.  He  used,  he  has  said,  to 
walk  up  and  down  the  guardroom  praying  for  aU  his 
friends;  and  who  can  say  how  many  hearts  may  not  have 
been  turned,  how  many  blessings  may  not  have  been 
poured  forth,  in  answer  to  those  prayers  1 

In  his  study  of  Scripture  he  established  a  habit  of  writ- 
ing a  short  daily  comment  upon  what  he  had  read ;  medi- 
tating on  it,  and  eliciting  some  reflections,  and  gathering  up 
some  fruit  from  each  separate  verse.  In  this  way  he  went 
through  St  Paul's  Epistles,  from  the  Ephesians  to  Phile- 
mon iDclusive  ;  taking  them  verse  by  verse,  and  writing 
down  some  short  comments  on  each  verse,  or  on  each  para- 
graph. This  habit  was  continued  from  June  1851  to 
Febniary  1853.  The  Epistle  to  the  Romans  was  com- 
menced later;  and  was  resumed  and  nearly  completed 
during  the  campaign  of  1854  in  Bulgaria.  These  mate- 
rials form  a  volume  of  considerable  size,  in  very  closely- 
written  MS. — a  volume  containing  much  variety  of  - 
thought,  evincing  very  strongly  the  teaching  of  the  Holy 
Spirit,  and,  above  all,  remarkable  for  its  closely  practical 
character.  It  has  seemed  advisable,  in  a  publication  of 
this  nature,  to  introduce  a  selection  from  the  Commentary 
— ^not  less  as  a  specimen  of  the  scriptural  exercise  which 
it  was  Maxy  Hammond's  habit  to  engage  in,  than  for  its 


m 


?3:#;n^^p!r;^Sl^^S5^^ 


"*^WijTT*V'^'^ 


COMMENTARY — INTEBCESSOEY  PRAYER. 


in 


value  as  a  pattern,  or  example,  to  those  who  may  wish  to 
adopt  a  similar  course. 

"  November  13. 

"  Col.  19. — ^The  duty  of  intercessory  prayer  is  enforced 
or  implied  in  many  places  throughout  the  Scriptures. 
And  here  is  an  example  of  it  in  Paul  and  Timotheus — 
*  We  do  not  cease  to  pray  for  you.'  Elias  is  mentioned 
elsewhere  (James  v.  17,  18)  as  an  instance  of  the  power 
of  fervent,  elSectual,  intercessory  prayer;  and  Jesus  him- 
self, when  upon  earth,  left  us  that  sublime  and  beautiful 
example  of  His  intercession  for  His  people,  recorded  in 
the  17th  of  St  John.  Intercession  for  others  ought  to  be 
regarded  by  Christians  as  a  duty  and  a  privilege;  and  it 
will  be  found  that  the  practice  brings  down  a  double 
blessing — a  blessing  upon  him  who  offers  up  the  prayer, 
and  a  blessing  upon  him,  also,  for  whom  the  prayer  is 
oflfered  up.  I  feel,  alas !  how  often  I  engage  in  this  duty 
with  a  cold  and  careless  heart;  how  often  I  am  tempted 
to  give  up  praying,  because  the  answer  is  delayed ;  how 
much  my  prayers  are  shut  in  to  the  narrow  limit  of  those 
persons  and  things  in  which  I  am  immediately  interested, 
instead  of  reaching  out  to  God's  cause  and  people  in 
every  place !  Oh,  for  an  increase  of  faith,  for  greater 
fervency,  for  more  constant  perseverance  in  this  holy 
duty,  and  greater  delight  and  enjoyment  in  the  blessed 
privilege  of  prayer  for  others ! " 


"Col.  i  9. 

tlicso  Christians. 


"November  14 

Paul  prayed  for  particular  blessings  for 
Player  ouolit  to  be  specific,  and  not 

N 


fF 


mr^im 


194 


PRAYEB. 


■  'i 


merely  general.  To  ask  for  things  in  the  general^  ia  a 
lazy  mode  of  prayer;  and  perhaps  this  is  one  reason  why 
our  prayers  seem  often  to  be  unheard  and  unheeded,  and 
why  our  own  hearts  are  so  cold  and  formal  whilst  en- 
gaged in  prayer.  Special  prayer  requires  some  fore- 
thought and  preparation  of  heart;  and  it  is  on  this  ac- 
count that  Christians  fail  in  this  duty,  because  it  calls 
for  aelf-denioL  I  feel  that  this  has  been  a  fault  and  an 
easily  besetting  sin  with  me,  against  which  I  ought  to 
watch,  pray,  and  seek  grace  to  deny  myself. 

"Paul  prayed  for  them  as  follows:  Ist  (ver.  9),  That 
they  might  have  a  scriptural  and  enlightened  understand- 
ing of  His  work  and  will  2dly  (ver.  10),  That  their 
spiritual  life  might  be  holy,  fruitful,  and  growing.  Mly 
(ver.  11),  That  they  might  be  endued  with  strength  and 
patience  to  endure  temptation  or  sufferings.  4ithly  (ver. 
12,  p3).  That  their  hearts  might  abound  with  thanksgiv- 
ings for  redeeming  love  and  mercy. 

"  Ist,  That  they  might  have  a  scriptural  and  enlightened 
imderstanding  of  His  word  and  will  This  is  to  be 
obtained  by  a  diligent  and  prayerful  study  of  the  Scrip- 
tures. Those  who  drink  deepest  at  the  fountain  will  gi'ow 
most  rapidly,  and  enjoy  most  peace. 

"  It  should  be  our  desire,  as  Christians,  not  only  to  know 
His  will,  but  to  'hefiUed*  with  His  heavenly  knowledge. 
To  think  that  we  know  all  that  we  need  to  know,  is  the 
height  of  folly  and  presumption;  and  the  greater  ad- 
vances we  make  in  grace,  the  more  constantly  shall  we  he 
found  sitting  (like  Mary)  at  the  feet  of  Jesus,  and  listen- 
ing to  His  word.  Two  things  are  essential  to  our  com- 
fort, growth,  and  usefulness;  that  we  should  possess  an 


«t«saaF 


COMM£NTABY-~OHBIBTIAN  PRACTICE. 


195 


enlightened  and  spiritual  v/ndersUimdingf  and  a  matured 

and  sound  judgment,  even  that  '  wisdom  which  is  from 

above.'" 

"  NOVBMBEE  17. 

"CoL  L  10. — ^Here  is  the  second  subject  of  Paul's 
prayer  to  the  Colossians — '  That  their  spiritual  life  might 
be  holy,  fruitful,  and  growing.'  '  That  they  might  walk 
worthy  of  the  Lord  unto  all  pleasing,  being  fruitful  in 
every  good  work,  and  mcredsing  in  the  knowledge  of 
God,*  There  may  be — and  there  often  is,  alas ! — ^an  un- 
derstanding of  the  truth  of  God,  which  produces  no  prac- 
tical result  in  the  life  and  conversation.  The  Bible  may 
be  studied  as  any  other  science,  and  the  head  may  be 
filled  whilst  the  heait  remains  imhumbled,  unenlightened, 
unsanctified;  but  a  spiritual  understanding  of  the  word 
and  will  of  God,  through  the  influence  of  the  Spirit  of 
truth  upon  the  heart,  is  always  accompanied  by  holiness 
and  consistency  of  life.  The  real  Christian  feels  (so  to 
speak)  that  his  honour  is  at  stake,  and  bound  up  in  his 
duty  towards  his  Lord  and  Master;  he  serves  a  great,  a 
glorious,  and  a  holy  Being;  and,  professing  himself  to  be 
His  disciple,  it  is  his  sincere  desire  and  constant  aim  to 
'walk  worthy  of  the  Lord,  unto  all  pleasing/  He  re- 
members the  example  left  him  by  his  heavenly  Master, 
and  the  testimony  which.  He  gave  for  the  imitation  of  His 
disciples — '  I  do  always  those  things  which  please  Him/ 
Is  this  my  aim — to  please  my  Qod  and  Saviour  in  all 
things?  Is  my  walk  worthy  of  Him  whose  name  I 
bear,  and  whose  disciple  I  profess  to  be  ?  Does  my  light 
ahine  before  men,  or  is  it  dim  and  imperceptible,  so  that 
the  image  of  Christ  cannot  be  discerned  in  me  ?    Which 


196 


PBAYEB. 


am  I  seeking  most — my  own  ease,  comfort,  and  profit,  or 

the  glory  of  Jesus,  and  the  honour  of  His  name  ?    Alas  I 

I  feel  that  I  am  but  an  unprofitable  servant — that  my 

walk  is  very  ttnworthy  of  my  I^ord.     Help  me,  then,  0 

Jesus!  'to  strengthen  the  things  that  remain,  and  are 

ready  to  die.'    Help  me  to  follow  thee  implicitly,  fully, 

fjEtithfully. 

"  November  19. 

"  CoL  i  10. — The  second  subject  of  prayer  continued — 
'That  they  might  be  fruitful  in  every  good  work.'  'By 
their  fruits  ye  shall  know  them.'  This  was  said  with 
reference  to  the  false  teachers,  but  it  is  equally  applicable 
to  all  men.  A  barren  Christian  is  a  contradiction  in 
terms.  Such  an  one  is  fit  only  to  be  cut  down  as  a  cum- 
berer  of  the  ground.  The  disciple  of  Him  'who  went 
about  doing  good'  (Acts  x.  38),  and  whose  '  meat  it  was  to 
do  His  Father's  will'  (John  iv.  34),  must,  in  like  manner, 
be  fruitful  according  to  their  measure  and  capacity,  in 
every  good  work.  *  Herein,*  said  Jesus  (John  xv.  8),  '  is 
my  Father  glorified,  that  ye  bear  much  fruit.  So  shall 
ye  be  my  disciplea'  None  can  be  said  to  'live  in  the 
Spirit,'  but  those  who  *  walk  in  the  Spirit '  (Gal.  v.  25),  and 
who  are  bringing  forth  the  fruit  of  the  Spirit.  Now, 
*  the  fruit  of  the  Spirit  is  love,  joy,  peace,  long-suffering, 
gentleness,  goodness,  faith,  meekness,  temperance.'  Are 
these  fruits  apparent  in  me  ^  or  am  I  only  a  dry  and 
barren  branch  ?  Let  me  remember  those  solemn  words 
of  Jesus  (John  xv.  2),  '  Every  branch  in  me  that  beareth 
fiiiit>  he  purgeth  (pruneth)  it,  that  it  may  bring  forth 
more  fruit;  and  every  branch  that  beai'eth  not  fruit,  he 
talceth  atoay.'  k  > 


COMMENTABY — BIQHT  KNOWLEDGE  OF  OOD.        197 


"  November  20. 
" Coll  10. — Joined  to  holiness  and  fruitfulness,is growth 
in  grace,  and  in  the  knowledge  of  God — '  Inobeasino  in 
the  knowledge  of  God.'  The  knowledge  of  God  is  life 
eternal  (John  xvii.  8) — 'This  is  life  eternal,  that  they 
might  kmyio  thee,  the  only  true  God,  and  Jesus  Christ 
whom  thou  hast  sent'  It  is  of  the  utmost  importance, 
then,  to  have  a  right  and  scriptural  knowledge  of  God — 
to  know  Him  savingly,  spiritually,  influentially.  This 
knowledge  is  to  be  attained  and  increased  through  His 
Holy  Scriptures,  for  'they  are  they  which  testify  of 
Christ,'  and  Christ  is  'the  brightness  of  His  Father's 
glory,  and  the  express  image  of  His  person.'  To  know 
Jesus,  therefore,  is  to  know  God;  for  '  He  that  hath  seen 
roe,'  said  Christ,  '  hath  seen  the  Father'  (John  xiv.  9). 
This  knowledge  of  God,  then,  must  be  increased  by  study- 
ing the  character  of  Jesus,  as  revealed  in  the  gospel  In 
so  doing,  new  discoveries  will  be  made  of  the  glory,  grace, 
and  power  of  God — ^His  willingness  to  save,  His  readi- 
ness to  give.  His  power  to  help.  His  condescending  grace 
to  sjnnpathise  in  affliction.  There  will  also  be  new  dis- 
coveries of  the  holiness  of  God,  as  seen  in  the  life  and 
suiferings  of  Jesus;  especially  in  viewing  Him  nailed  to 
the  cross,  as  the  great  atoning  sacrifice  for  sin.  For  how 
must  God  hate  sin,  to  require  such  a  ransom  as  the  blood 
of  His  dear  Son !  Oh,  blessed  Spirit !  teach  me  more  of 
God,  as  He  is  revealed  and  manifested  in  Jesus;  and 
grant  that  I  may  not  only  increase  in  the  knowledge  of 
Him,  but  that  I  may  increase  also  in  all  holiness  of  heart 
and  life,  and  in  conformity  to  His  image,  through  Jesus 
Christ    Amen. 


198 


PRAYER 


"  November  24. 
1  "  OoL  i  11. — ^Paul  prays  further  for  these  Oolossians, 
that  they  might  be  endued  with  strength  under  trial,  and 
with  patience  under  suffering.  'Strengthened  with  all 
might,  according  to  his  glorious  power/  This  agrees  with 
£ph.  vl  10 — '  Be  strong  in  the  Lord,  and  in  the  power  of 
ffis  might'  The  believer  must  be  endued  with  strength 
from  above,  to  enable  him  to  withstand  the  many  tempta- 
tions and  trials  he  will  surely  meet  with,  living  in  a  world 
that  'lieth  in  the  wicked  one,'  and  carrying  about  with 
him  a  body  of  sin,  an  evil  heart  of  unbelief,  prone  to  de- 
part from  the  living  God.  But,  blessed  be  Ood,  we  are 
not  called  to  engage  in  this  warfare  at  our  own  charge,  to 
fight  in  our  own  strength.  We  have  One  mighty  to  save; 
One  who  has  already  triumphed  over  all  the  powers  of 
darkness;  One  who  is  '  Al-Shaddai,'  God  Almighty,  who 
will  be  with  His  people  in  every  strait  or  difficulty;  and 
who  will  abundantly  deliver  us,  and  give  us  power  over 
every  spiritual  Goliath  which  would  seek  to  take  away 
our  life.  *  His  glorious  power'  is  engaged  in  our  behalf, 
and  by  it  His  people  shall  be  '  kept  through  faith  unto 
salvation'  (1  Peter  i.  5). 

"Col  L  11.— 'Unto  all  patience  and  long-suffering, 
with  joyfulness.'  This  has  respect  to  the  Christian's 
bearing  under  suffering  and  affliction.  If  the  hand  of 
the  Lord  be  upon  our  persons,  our  families,  our  pro- 
perty, there  is  a  call  for  patient  submission  and  resigna- 
tion to  His  holy  will.  All  murmuring  must  be  instantly 
silenced,  for  He  who  smites  is  holy,  just,  and  good.  *  Why, 
then,  should  a  living  man  complain,  a  man  for  the  punish- 
ment of  his  sins  V     *  Shall  we  receive  good  at  the  hands  of 


'■/ 


COMMENTARY — CHRISTIAN  PATIENCE. 


199 


lans, 

,  and 

h  aU 

with 

epof 

mgth 

npta- 

world 

with 

bo  de- 

^e  are 

ge,  to 

save; 

ers  of 

who 


I' 


the  Lord,  and  shall  we  not  also  receive  evil  V  (Lam.  iil  39 ; 
Job  ii.  10).  Let  our  aflUctions  be  compared  with  our 
deservings,  and  then  how  shall  we  complain  7  The  true 
source  of  support  and  comfort,  under  trial,  will  be  found 
ill  '  ctyrmdering  Him  who  endured*  forv>a  (Heb.  xil  8). 
If  oui  trial  be  from  man — from  the  opposition,  scorn,  or 
CUD  tempt  of  the  world,  or  from  the  unkindness  and  in- 
gratitude of  others — thi«,  too,  must  be  borne  with  long- 
suffering,  remembering  *  Him  who  endured  such  contra- 
diction of  sinners  against  Himself/  If  our  conscience  is 
void  of  offence  towards  GU)d  and  man;  if  we  are  walking 
by  faith  in  Jesus,  abiding  in  Him,  and  '  looking  at  the 
things  that  are  unseen' — then  may  we  know  that  there  is 
such  a  thing  as  joyfulness  in  the  midst  of  temptation  and 
suffering.  The  Christian  is  described  as  one  who  can 
'rejoice  in  tribulation' — ^who,  though  sometimes  sorrow- 
ful, yet  is  '  always  rejoicing.'  Oh !  let  me  seek  earnestly 
strength  for  the  time  of  temptation,  and  patience  and 
long-suffering  in  the  day  of  adversity  and  affliction;  and, 
in  every  such  season,   may  I  be  found   'looking  unto 

Jesus.' 

"  November  25. 

"Col  i  12. — Paul  further  prays  for  these  Christians, 
that  their  hearts  and  their  lips  might  abound  with  thanks- 
giving for  redeeming  love  and  mercy.  Giving  thanks 
unto  the  Father  for  all  the  blessings  which  he  hath  freely 
given  to  us  in  His  Son  Jesus  Christ  How  beautiful  is 
the  thanksgiving  prayer  in  our  Liturgy,  when  wc  use 
these  words,  *  We  bless  thee  for  our  creation,  preserva- 
tion, and  all  the  blessings  of  this  life;  but,  ab<yve  aU^  for 
thine  vnestimaUe  love,  in  the  redemption  of  the  world  by 


dT 


mmr* 


200 


PRAYER. 


I  r 


U    I 


I 


our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.'  In  like  manner,  Paul  breaks 
forth  into  praise  in  the  commencement  of  his  Epistle  to 
the  Ephesians  (I  3),  *  Blessed  be  the  God  and  Father  of 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  has  blessed  us  with  all  spiri- 
tual blessings  in  heavenly  places  in  Christ.'  We  are  to 
trace  back  the  source  and  fountain  of  our  mercies  and 
blessings  to  the  electing  love  of  tho  Father,  *  according  as 
He  hath  chosen  us  in  Christ  before  the  foundation  of  the 
world.'  'Giving  thanks  unto  the  Father,  which  hath 
made  us  meet  to  be  partakers  of  the  inheritance  of  the 
saints  in  light.'  This  is  indeed  a  sufficient  cause  for 
thankfulness,  which  may  call  forth  our  admiration  and 
our  praise.  St  John  seemed  to  have  been  deeply  im- 
pressed with  this  feeling  in  contemplating  the  love  of 
the  Father,  in  those  beautiful  and  wondrous  words  which 
he  wrote  (1  John  iii  1),  *  Behold  what  manner  of  love 
the  Father  hath  bestowed  upon  its,  that  we  should  be 
called  the  sons  of  God!'  In  what  does  the  *meetness' 
here  spoken  of  consist?  What  do  I  need  in  order  that 
I  may  be  made  a  fit  partaker  of  the  inheritance  of  the 
Lamb?  (1.)  The  justification  and  acceptance  of  my 
person  through  the  blood  and  righteousness  of  Jesus ; 
union  in  Christ,  being  engrafted  into  Him  by  the  new 
birth ;  faith  in  Him,  and  participation  by  faith,  in  all 
the  benefits  which  He  hath  purchased  for  us.  (2.) 
Sanctification  by  the  word  and  spirit  of  Christ.  Heart- 
holiness,  heavenly-mindedness,  conf  onuity  to  Jesus,  through 
the  indwelling  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  '  The  inheritance  of 
the  saints  in  light.'  This  is  that  *  inheritance  which  is 
incorruptible,  undefiled,  and  that  fadeth  not  away*  (1 
Pet.  i)    He  w)io  is  '  heir  of  all  things  is  Himself '  the  in- 


COMMENTARY — THE  DELIVERANCE — THE  DELIVERER.  201 

heritance  and  portion  of  His  people  throughout  eternity. 
The  saints  long  to  be  with  Him ;  for  when  with  Him  they 
shall  be  made  like  Him.  Oh!  to  live  more  in  the  light  of 
that  day,  when  He  shall  be  revealed  to  give  to  every  one 
of  His  people  their  everlasting  inheritance. 

"  November  26. 

,  "  CoL  l  13. — *  Who  hath  deliveried  us  from  the  power 
of  darkness,  and  hath  translated  us  into  the  kingdom  of 
His  dear  Son.'  The  deliverance  and  translation  here 
spoken  of  are  ascribed  to  the  Father.  Let  us  notice 
more  particularly  what  is  comprehended  under  these  two 
terms, '  delivered '  and  *  translated.* 

"  Ist,  The  Deliverance.— The  Deliverer  is  none  other 
than  G^od  himself,  *  the  Father  of  mercies,*  whose  com- 
passions are  moved  for  the  weak  and  helpless  sons  of  men 
whom  Satan  keeps  fast  bound  and  tied  by  the  chain  of 
their  sins.  Out  of  His  rich  and  free  mercy,  He  is  pleased 
to  deliver  such  by  His  own  Divine  power  and  energy. 
The  power  which  He  exerts  in  the  spiritual  deliverance  of 
His  people  is  called  by  Paul,  in  his  Epistle  to  the  Ephe- 
sians  (i.  19,  20),  'The  exceeding  greatness  of  His  power 
to  US-ward  who  believe,  according  to  the  working  of  His 
mighty  power,  which  He  wrought  in  Christ,  when  He 
raised  Him  from  the  dead.* 

"  The  delivered  are  sinners  of  mankind.  The  slaves  of 
sin  and  Satan,  led  captive  by  him  at  his  will  They  are 
the  true  subjects  of  *  the  god  of  this  world,*  and  rebels 
against  'the  Prince  of  Life.'  They  are  delivered  from 
*  the  power  of  darkness,*  i.e.  Satan  himself,  '  the  prince 
of  darkness,*  and  the  fallen  and  corrupt  nature  by  which 


202 


PRAYER. 


the  mind  is  darkened,  the  affections  alienated,  and  the 
will  perverted. 

"  Surely  there  is  here  deep  cause  for  gratitude ;  much 
that  should  lead  me  to  *  give  thanks  unto  the  Father/  when 
I  consider  the  Deliverer,  the  Delivered,  and  the  Deliverance. 
'What  can  I  render  unto  the  Lord  for  all  His  mercies 
and  for  all  His  benefits  towards  me?*  Oh,  may  I  *  take 
the  cup  of  salvation,  and  call  upon  the  name  of  the  Lord,' 
rejoicing  in  my  deliverance  from  the  power  of  darkness, 
with  a  thankful  heart,  and  continually  watching  over  my 
heart,  lest  I  should  have  any  *  fellowship  with  the  unfruit- 
ful works  of  darkness'  (Eph.  v.  11)  in  thought,  word,  or 

deed. 

"  November  27. 

"CoL  i  13. — 'And  hath  translated  us  into  the  kingdom 
of  His  dear  Son.*  Or,  according  to  the  marginal  reading, 
*  into  the  kingdom  of  the  Son  of  His  love.'  Having  con- 
sidered the  *  deliverance '  spoken  of  in  the  first  part  of  the 
verse,  we  are  here  called  to  contemplate  the  *  translation.* 
The  state  of  honour  and  privilege,  with  the  innumerable 
blessings  connected  with  it,  into  which  the  new-bom  child 
of  God  is  adopted.  And  in  this  respect  the  translation 
of  Enoch  may  be  regarded  as  a  type  in  figure  of  the  spi- 
ritual translation  of  all  the  children  of  God.  It  is  said  of 
Enoch  (Heb.  xi.  5),  that '  by  faith  he  was  translated  that 
he  should  not  see  death ;  and  he  was  not,  because  God 
had  translated  him.'  He  was  suddenly  caught  up  by  the 
power  of  God,  removed  for  ever  from  this  lower  world  of 
sin,  sorrow,  and  death  ;  delivered  from  the  burden  of  sin, 
and  from  the  body  of  sin  with  which  he  was  encompassed ; 
and  was  translated  by  the  angels  into  heaven,  into  the  very 


F 


COMMENTARY— THE  INHERITANCE. 


203 


presence  of  God  himself,  and  of  that  Saviour  whom  he  had 
so  faithfully  served,  and  so  manfully  confessed  on  earth. 
And  thus  it  is  with  the  believer.  Bom  again  of  the  Holy 
Ghost,  engrafted  by  faith  into  Jesus,  made  a  new  creature 
in  Him,  he  is  at  once  translated  into  His  kingdom  of 
grace  on  earth,  and  he  will  at  length,  like  Enoch,  be  lite- 
rally translated  to  His  kingdom  of  glory  above. 

**  *  The  kingdom  of  the  Son  of  His  love.* 

"  This  reminds  us  of  the  amazing  love  of  the  Father,  in 
giving  "  His  dear  Son  "  as  the  ransom  for  us  poor  perishing 
sinners.  Blessed,  indeed,  are  they  who  have  a  place  in ' 
that  kingdom  on  earth,  but  how  far  more  blessed  will  be 
the  translation  to  that  kingdom  of  glory  and  everlasting 
felicity  which  He  shall  set  up  in  the  day  of  His  glorious 
appearing.  Oh,  to  be  enabled  from  the  heart  to  use  the 
prayer  of  the  hymn, 

"  *  Come,  Lord,  when  grace  hath  made  me  meet 
Thy  blessed  face  to  see ; 
For  if  thy  work  on  earth  is  sweet, 
What  must  thy  glory  be  ! ' " 

The  selection  of  this  passage,  though  perhaps  less  strik- 
ing than  others  which  might  have  been  found,  seems  par- 
ticularly to  recommend  itself,  not  only  because  its  sub- 
ject, "  Prayer,"  is  immediately  connected  with  the  com- 
mencement of  this  chapter,  but  because  its  conclusion 
seems  to  bear  a  peculiar  significance  as  regards  its  author. 
Might  we  not  ourselves,  anticipating  a  little  the  sequel  of 
this  narrative,  while  we  dwell  with  chastened  sorrow  on 
his  sudden  translation,  take  up  his  own  words ;  and  using 
them  in  their  full  f  jrce  as  coming  from  him,  apply  them 


204 


PRATBB. 


for  onr  own  especial  comfort  to  him — ^to  him,  as  'a 
believer,  by  faith  translated,  that  he  should  not  see  death' 
— *  suddenly  caught  up  by  the  power  of  God,  removed  from 
this  lower  world  of  sin,  and  sorrow,  and  death,  delivered 
from  the  burden  of  sin,  and  translated  by  the  angels  into 
heaven,  into  the  very  presence  of  God  himself,  and  of  that 
Saviour  whom  he  had  so  faithfully  served  and  so  manfully 
confessed  when  on  earth.' 


NK 


.# 

'••«- 


r 


! 


pJGir^ll^ 


.'    I: 


'.cr 


IS  'h 
ieath' 
from 
«rered 
I  into 
that 
ifuUy 


RETURN  TO  ENGLAND. 


205 


■V    ,*<;>* 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

i 

f  eittrti  t0  ^njlani. 

"  Here  on  oar  native  soil  we  breathe  onoe  more— 
The  cock  that  crows,  the  smoke  that  onrls,  the  sonnd 
Of  bells;  those  boys  who  in  yon  meadow  groond 
In  white-sleeved  shirts  are  playing;  and  the  roar 
Of  the  waves  breaking  on  the  chalky  shore — 
All,  all  are  English  1  oft  have  I  looked  around 
With  joy  on  Kent's  green  vales;  but  never  found 
Myself  so  satisfied  with  life  before." 

WoRSflWORTR. 

A  CHANGE  having  occurred  in  the  battalion  arrangements, 
Captain  Hammond  was  unexpectedly  posted  to  the  com- 
mand of  the  dep6t,  then  at  the  Isle  of  Wight ;  and  he  very 
soon  after  quitted  America  for  the  last  time.  To  this 
alteration  in  his  position,  he  briefly  refers  in  a  letter  to 
one  of  his  friends: — 

"Kingston,  April  2, 1849. 

"You  will  perhaps  be  much  surprised  to  hear  me 
speak  of  returning  to  England.  Such,  however,  is  my 
expectation.  I  am  recommended  by  the  colonel  for  the 
command  of  the  depot;  W  #  ♦  ♦  having  declined  the 
offer,  which  was  first  made  to  him.  I  suppose  I  shall  go 
as  soon  as  the  sanction  of  the  Horse  Guards  is  obtained. 
I  shall  probably  bid  a  final  farewell  to  Canada,  as  it  is  not 


206 


RETURN  TO  ENGLAND. 


likely  I  shall  be  moved  before  the  regiment  returns  to 
England." 

The  appo  ntment  was  soon  confirmea,  and  in  June 
1849,  we  find  him  stationed  at  Parkhurst,  in  the  Isle  of 
Wight,  in  charge  of  the  dep6t. 

Soon  after  his  arrival,  his  youngest  brother,  in  whom  he 
had  taken  so  lively  an  interest,  as  we  have  already  gathered 
from  his  letters,  and  who  first  received  him  whe?i  he 
returned  home  in  1847,  went  down  to  see  him  on  his 
arrival,  and  thus  describes  his  first  interview: — 

"  The  heavenliness  of  his  whole  deportment  struck  me 
much ;  we  read  and  prayed  together,  and  all  our  conversa- 
tion was  about  the  inheritance,  and  the  service,  I  was  just 
then  beginning  to  feel  after,  and  which  he  had  found  for 
four  or  five  years.  Mrs  H  «  «  «  gave  me  the  *  Sinners' 
Friend,'  and  N.  H  «  «  «,  '  Come  to  Jesus,'  and  we  used 
to  read  the  latter  together  on  the  grass  banks  of  Caris- 
brooke  Castle,  and  in  our  expeditions  to  the  Needles,  and 
in  his  room  in  barracks.  Coming  up  from  the  H  «  «  «'s 
one  day,  I  remember  his  alluding  to  his  boyish  days,  and 
saying,  *  he  thought  there  were  no  sinners  so  great  as  boys.'" 

To  this  brother,  Captain  Hammond  writes: — 

"Parkhurst,  Jwne  8,  1849.    - 

"  I  enjoyed  your  short  visit.  ....  What  reason  have 
you  and  I  to  be  filled  with  gratitude  and  adoring  wonder 
at  the  grace  which  has  enabled  us,  in  some  degree,  to  taste 
that  the  Lord  is  gracious,  and  to  feel,  however  slightly, 
that  Jesus  is  precious.  He  is  the  *  chief  among  ten  thou- 
sand, and  altogether  lovely."     Pjch  is  He  in  the  eyes  of 


te^ 


TRIALS  IN  THE  WORLD. 


207 


ns  to         \ 


>>t 


His  redeemed  Church,  and  such  should  He  be  in  ours. 
Yet,  alas!  I  feel  at  times  as  if  I  had  no  love — as  if  my 
religion  were  mere  hypocrisy,  the  form  of  godliness,  but 
destitute  of  its  vital  power.  Indeed,  we  ought  to  be 
ashamed  that  we  love  Him  so  little ;  that  we  are  doing  so 
little  for  Him.  I  find  this  especially  the  case  when  thrown 
amongst  worldly  men.  Then  it  is  not  an  easy  thing  to 
walk  as  a  Christian,  desiring  to  be  known  in  no  othc? 
character  than  as  a  disciple  of  Jesus;  content  to  wear  the 
reproach  of  the  cross;  to  be  thought  a  weak-spirited 
fellow  for  His  sake;  confessing  Him  before  men,  and 
setting  up  our  banner  in  His  name;  studying  to  adorn 
His  gospel  in  all  things  with  'meekness  of  wisdoin.'  I 
don't  know  when  I  have  felt  my  own  weakness  and  utter 
helplessness  more  than  since  I  have  been  here.  How 
blessed  a  thing  it  is  for  us  that  we  are  not  kept  by  our- 
selves, but  by  the  Keeper  of  Israel — ^by  Him  who  prayed, 
'  Holy  Father,  keep,  through  thine  own  name,  those  whom 
thou  hast  given  me,'  and  again,  'I  pray  not  that  thou 
shouldest  take  them  out  of  the  world,  but  that  thou 
shouldest  keep  them  from  the  evil'  Here,  then,  is  our 
security — the  intercession  of  Jesus,  as  engaged  in  our 
behalf.  Covenant  love  is  pledged  for  our  encouragement 
— all  the  promises  are  for  us  weak  sinners,  all  secured  to 
us  in  Jesus,  for  *  all  the  promises  of  God '  are  *  yea  and 
amen '  in  Christ  Jesus.  ,  .  .  Grace  be  with  you.  Let  our 
prayer  for  each  other  be  2  Thess.  i.  11,  12. — ^Ever  your 
affectionate,  M.  M.  Hammond." 


Probably  one  especial  cause  of  the  serenity  and  inward 
peace,  as  well  ai  the  consistent  holiness  of  outward  life 


Ml»l|«' 


'U  J.HIWIJJ,'I  Wii 


mmmimm 


m 


SOS 


BETURN  TO  ENGLAND. 


that  marked  Captain  Hammond's  character,  was  his 
entire  dependence  on  the  all-suflSciency  of  Christ,  the  » 
habit  of  looking  out  of  himself  unto  Christ  for  everything ; 
conscious  of  the  weakness  of  the  natural  man,  yet 
rejoicing  in  the  knowledge  that  the  Lord's  "strength  is 
made  perfect  in  weakness/'  This  view  of  the  Christian's 
relation  to  the  Saviour  is  thus  most  happily  expressed  in 
a  short  fragment  written  by  him  in  a  friend's  common- 
place book  :— 

"There  are  two  things  which  the  Christian  ought  ever 
to  keep  in  view;  his  own  nothingness,  and  the  all-suffi- 
ciency of  Jesus  ;  the  one  to  keep  him  humble,  the  other  to 
inspire  him  with  confidence  and  hope.  Having  nothing 
in  himself  (Rev.  iii.  17),  yet  possessing  all  things  in 
Jesus  (2  Cor.  vi.  10);  without  any  righteousness  of  his 
own  (Isa.  Ixiv.  6),  yet  complete  in  the  righteousness  of 
Immanuel  (Col.  ii  10 ;  Jer.  xxiii.  6) ;  without  strength 
(Rom.  V.  6),  yet  strong  in  the  Lord  and  in  the  power  of 
His  might  (Eph.  vL  10);  without  holiness  (Rom.  iii.  12), 
yet  having  the  promise  of  sanctification  through  Jesus 
(1  Cor.  i.  30) ;  without  power  to  keep  himself  (2  Cor.  iii. 
5),  yet  kept  by  the  power  of  God  through  faith  unto 
salvation  (I  Pet.  i.  5;  John  xvii.  11-15);  preserved  in 
Jesus  Christ  (Jude  i.).  It  hath  pleased  the  Father  that 
in  Christ  should  aU  fulness  dwell  (CoL  i.  19),  that  out  of 
that  fulness  empty  sinners  may  receive  all  that  their  souls 
may  require  for  time  and  eternity  (John  i.  16).  Thanks 
be  unto  God  for  His  unspeakable  gift  (2  Cor.  ix.  15). 

"M.  M.  Hammond."     ^ 

"Newport,  Isle  of  Wight,  July  l^th,  18 kO." 


LETTER  ON  WORLDLY  AMUSEMENTS. 


209 


his 
,  the 
ling; 

yet 


Among  the  letters  which  we  have  brought  together  in 
this  volume,  perhaps  we  shall  find  none  which  more 
forciby  illustrates  the  r  npleteness  of  the  change  which 
the  writer  had  undergone,  none  certainly  which  has  a 
better  claim  to  the  consideration  of  the  reader,  than  that 
which  follows.  It  was  written  in  the  course  of  some 
correspondence  which  had  taken  place  on  the  lawfulness* 
of  many  worldly  amusements.  Let  us  compare  it  with 
those  letters  introduced  in  our  earlier  pages;  those,  for 
example,  written  from  Newport  and  from  Dover,  in  1842. 
Do  we  not  perceive  in  that  comparison  something  more 
than  a  natural  change  from  the  tone  of  boyish  levity  to 
the  grave  thoughtfulness  of  manhood  t  Can  we  fail  to 
see  in  the  deep  conviction  which  calmly,  but  decidedly, 
condemns  all  that  "  is  no!  of  the  Father  but  of  the  world ; " 
in  the  wisdom,  which,  uttering  her  warning  voice,  would 
cry  imploringly,  "How  long,  ye  simple  ones;"  in  the 
earnest  concern  of  one,  who,  experiencing  in  the  better 
part  which  he  had  chosen,  that  "godliness  is  profitable*' 
in  "the  life  which  now  is,"  would  desire  that  others  might 
share  it ;  can  we  fail  to  perceive  in  all  this,  the  effect  of 
the  Holy  Spirit's  work?  In  those  first  letters  we  have 
the  natural  man  speaking.     In  this,  the  renewed  spirit. 

"  October  18,  1849. 

"  My  dear  «  «  #, — Very  many  thanks  for  your  letter, 
and  for  the  book  which  accompanied  it.  A  more  perni- 
cious production  I  never  met  with,  but  which,  happily,  can 
be  so  easily  refuted  in  all  its  pretended  arguments,  that 
it  is  likely  to  do  less  harm  to  the  earnest  Christian  than 
it  might  otherwise  do.     So  far  from  convincing  the  Bible- 

0 


210 


RETURN  TO  ENGLAND. 


!■: 


taught  Christian  tha'  it  is  wrong  to  '  come  out  and  be 
separate'  from  the  woild,  it  would  more  than  ever  con- 
firm him  in  the  f undan  ental  principle ;  and  it  is  only  a 
further  proof  that  'the  natural  man  receiveth  not  the 
things  of  the  Spirit  of  God,  neither  can  he  know  them, 
because  they  are  spiritually  discerned.'  Bishop  Hackett  s 
disciple,  whoever  he  may  be,  is  plainly  devoid  of  the 
Spirit  of  Christ,  destitute  of  the  mark  of  the  true  be- 
liever, love  to  the  brethren,  and  victory  over  the  world; 
and,  therefore,  it  is  vain  to  argue  with  such  a  person, 
since  he  sets  aside  the  truth  of  God,  and  vainly  endea- 
vours to  invent  a  system  of  religion  diametrically  opposite 
to  the  eternal  truth.  How  shall  one  speak  of  spiritual 
things  to  one  who  denies  the  depravity  of  our  nature 
(notwithstanding  the  words  of  the  Holy  Ghost — Rom.  viil 
7),  who  tells  of  the  merit  of  faith  and  good  works,  rejects 
the  doctrine  of  the  new  birth,  and,  finally,  scoffs  at  and 
holds  up  to  ridicule  all  that  is  really  vital,  spiritual,  and 
experimental  in  the  religion  of  Jesus  ? 

"  What  a  mistaken  notion  of  what  is  termed  cheerful- 
ness, to  suppose  that  it  is  to  be  found  in  those  broken 
cisterns  which  the  men  of  this  world  would  in  vain  apply 
to,  in  order  to  drown  the  voice  of  conscience,  *  kill  time/ 
and  shut  out  the  thoughts  of  God  and  eternity  from  the 
mind !  The  soul  that  has  been  plucked  as  a  brand  from 
the  burning,  dreads  the  taint  of  those  pleasures  from 
which  it  has  been  snatched  by  sovereign  grace.  Having 
travelled  with  the  multitude  along  the  broad  road  to  de- 
struction, now  that  his  eyes  liave  been  opened  to  see  his 
own  imminent  danger,  and  the  danger  of  his  fellow-tra-  \ 
vellers,  and  having  been  warned  by  the  Angel  of  the  Cove- 


*«=w. 


LETTER  ON 


RI  DLY    •  ArtTSEMENTS. 


2tl 


nant  not  to  look  behind,  the  awakened  ai  ilii-cor  .inced 
penitent  trembles  with  fear  of  retumiii  o  the  i^roted 
city,  and  flies  for  his  life,  believing  the  v  rd  of  tbo  Most 
High,  that  he  cannot  seiTe  God  and  Mamuiuu.  '  No  man 
having  put  his  hand  to  the  plough,  and  looking  back,  is 
fit  for  the  kingdom  of  heaven/  What  was  it  that  ren- 
dered the  good  seed  unfruitful,  and  even  choked  it  in  one 
class  of  hearers  ? — the  pleasures  of  this  life  (Luke  viii.  14). 
Truly,  indeed,  may  these  be  called  thorns.  The  child  of 
God  will  find  them  sharp  and  piercing,  wounding  the 
conscience,  dimming  the  hope,  and  dragging  down  the 
soul  to  earth,  deadening  the  spiritual  afiections,  and 
estranging  him  from  his  God.  Is  not  Christ  enough? 
Is  He  not  infinitely  precious  and  all-sufficient  ?  and  ought 
we  not  to  be  cheerful  in  Him ?  He  is  our  all  in  all;  'as 
He  is,  so  are  we  in  this  world.*  What  can  give  such  solid 
peace,  such  permanent  happiness,  as  communion  with 
Him,  our  unseen  Friend?  And  shall  we  yet  hanker  after 
communion  with  those  who  know  and  love  Him  not,  and 
have  their  portion  in  this  life?  If  we  seek  happiness  out 
of  Him,  surely  we  shall  have  our  reward. 

"  I  was  much  struck  with  a  remark  of  a  dear  Christian 
brother,  in  a  letter  from  Canada  received  not  long  ago, 
that  is  so  much  to  the  point,  that  I  shall  quote  it  here: 
'Why,'  he  writes,  'are  we  not  contented  with  Christ? 
Why  have  we  a  hankering  after  something,  a  little  worldly 
communion  out  of  Christ,  to  fill  up,  as  it  were,  our  daily 
measure  of  happiness  ?  This  little  empty  corner  ought  to 
be  filled  up  also  out  of  Christ,  and  our  joy  would  be  com- 
plete. How  often  do  we  meet  with  the  injunction,  Ke- 
joice  evermore !    My  prayer  each  day  is,  that  God  would 


212 


BETVBN  TO  ENGLAND. 


I 


I 


hedge  me  about  with  thorns,  and  drive  me  closer  to  Him.' 
Such  is  the  language  of  one  who  has  been  taught  by  the 
Spirit,  and  who  has  drunk  deeply  of  the  Spirit  of  Christ, 
on  the  other  side  of  the  Atlantic ;  and  may  we  not  learn 
a  lesson  of  this  babe  in  Christ,  who  has  had  little  more 
than  twelve  months'  experience  of  the  things  of  Qod  ? 

"  Beferring  again  to  the  book,  how  weak  and  puerile 
are  the  arguments  brought  forward — Dancing  sanctioned, 
because  David  danced  and  sung  praises  before  the  Lord ! 
Is  such  the  practice  of  our  Christian  ball-rooms?  And 
again — The  Almighty  Father  meeting  his  repentant  son 
with  music  and  dancing.  Are  balls,  then,  ordained  of 
God  as  the  expression  of  our  joy  over  repenting  sinP3rs  ? 
And  because  the  father  of  the  prodigal  is  represented  as 
meeting  his  son  in  the  way  described,  is  this  to  teach  us 
that  God  approves  of  dancing  all  night,  as  in  our  day  ?  or 
does  it  simply  mean  that,  as  the  earthly  father  rejoiced  over 
his  lost,  erring  child,  so  our  heavenly  Father  rejoices  over 
the  poor  repentant  sinner,  and  freely  forgives  him  ?  Doubt- 
less there  is  joy  in  such  a  case — joy  in  heaven,  rejoicing, 
and  hymns  of  praise,  among  the  angels  there;  but  what 
has  this  to  do  with  the  unholy  mirth  of  a  London  ball- 
room, where  *  the  lust  of  the  eye,  and  the  lust  of  the  flesh, 
and  the  pride  of  life'  there  exhibited,  do  but  remind  us 
that  such  assemblies  are  '  not  of  the  Father,  but  of  the 
world?'  I  cannot  dwell  further  on  the  profane  ?md  un- 
hallowed subject  brought  forward  by  Bishop  Hackett's 
disciple.  What  would  the  same  author  say  with  regard 
to  theatres,  and  places  of  that  description  (the  nurseries 
of  vice,  as  admitted  by  all)  ?  ^ 

"And  wbtre  are  we  to  stop?    The  further  we  keep 


.*«*,.- 


LETTER  ON  WORLDLY  AMUSEMENTS. 


213 


from  the  edge  of  the  precipice,  the  safer  we  must  be,  and 
not  incur  the  risk  of  seeing  how  far  we  can  go  without 
falling  over.  But,  on  all  these  points,  argument  is  power- 
less, unless  the  judgment  is  convinced;  and,  therefore, 
'  let  every  man  be  fully  persuaded  in  his  own  mind.'  For 
my  own  part,  I  have  tried  both;  and  now  every  days  ex- 
perience tells  me,  that  both  for  our  own  peace  and  happi- 
ness, and  for  the  real  good  of  others,  the  Christian's  duty 
is  clear,  '  to  come  out  and  be  separate'  from  the  vain  pur- 
suits, unsanctified  pleasures,  and  sinful  practices  of  the 
world.  There  are  now,  as  there  ever  were,  two  classes, 
and  two  only — the  chilj}ren  of  the  world,  and  the  children 
of  God ;  the  converted,  and  the  unconverted ;  those  tread'- 
ing  the  broad  way,  and  those  walking  along  the  narrow. 
These  opposite  principles  cannot  amalgamate.  The  child 
of  God  must  not  mingle  with  the  children  of  the  wicked 
one,  just  as  the  Jews  were  forbidden  to  form  alliances 
with  the  heathen,  lest  they  should  learn  their  practices. 
See  how  they  fell  through  these  very  things;  and  'these 
things  were  written  for  our  admonition,  upon  ii\hom  the 
ends  of  the  world  have  come.'  Thus  we  gather  from 
types  what  is  more  fully  explained  in  the  ITew  Testament. 
"  Once  more,  how  awful  is  the  woe  denounced  against 
those  who  oflfend  {i.e.,  cause  to  stumble)  one  of  Christ's 
'  little  ones.'  May  we  not  fear  that,  in  conforming  to  the 
usages  and  practices  of  the  world,  we  shall  be  giving  coun- 
tenance to  many,  who  are  lovers  of  pleasure  more  than 
lovers  of  God,  and  thus  cast  a  stumbling-block  before 
their  feet,  over  which  they  might  fall  ctei^naily.  On  the 
other  hand,  if  we  shew  plainly  that  we  are  *  strangers  and 
pilgrims  here;'  that  we  are '  crucified  to  the  world,  and  the 


M'iAvi 


r 


214 


RETURN  TO  ENGLAND. 


world  crucified  to  ua'  (that  is,  held  up  to  our  view  as  an 
object  loathsome  and  disgusting,  from  which  we  would 
turn  away) ;  *  that  this  is  not  our  rest ; '  that  wis  are  *  seeking 
a  better  country,  that  is,  a  heavenly^' and  higher  hopes  and 
purer  pleasures  than  this  world  can  boast  of;  that  we 
derive  our  joys  and  our  peace  from  a  totally  different 
source;  then,  I  think,  we  should  be  doing  more  towaixls 
awakening  a  spirit  of  inquiry,  and  deeper  concern,  for 
the  welfare  of  the  soul  in  those  around  us,  than  in  quietly 
going  down  the  stream  with  them,  with  little  observable 
difference  between  our  principles,  pleasures,  and  pursuits, 
and  theirs.  Let  us  remember  our  high  and  holy  calling  • 
called  out  from  the  world,  witnesses  for  Christ  and  against 
sin  and  ungodliness,  in  whatever  form  it  may  present 
itself.  Citizens  of  the  new  Jerusalem,  having  our  con- 
versation in  heaven,  partakers  of  the  Divine  nature, 
temples  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  may  our  constant  and  fer- 
vent prayer  be  that  of  Paul  for  the  Philippians,  that 
(i  9-1 1)  we  may  *  try'  things  *  that  differ.'  Lord  increase 
our  faith. — Your  affectionate,  M.  M.  H." 

" P.S. — 'Is  any  aflflicted?  let  him  pray;  is  any  merry 
among  you  ?  let  him  sing  psalms  ;  let  your  moderation  be 
known  unto  all  men.  The  Lord  is  at  hand.*  See  also 
Jer.  XV.  19,  *  Let  them  return  unto  thee ;  but  return  not 
thou  unto  tiiem.' " 

In  reply  to  his  younger  brother,  who  had  asked  his 
opinion  as  to  the  lawfulness  of  shooting,  he  thus  expresses 
himself : — 

#  "I  hardly  kiiow  how  to  answer  your  question  about 


1^ 


LAWFULNESS  OF  AMUSEMENTS. 


215 


* 


view  as  an 
1  we  would 
are  *  seeking 
jr  hopes  and 
of;  that  we 
lly  different 
tore  towards 
concern,  for 
Etn  in  quietly 
Le  observable 
and  pursuits, 
holy  calling; 
and  AGAINST 
may  present 
ing  our  con- 
ivine  nature, 
;ant  and  fer- 
ippians,   that 
Lord  increase 
IM.  M.H."    V 

is  any  merry 
loderation  be 
id.*  See  also 
it  return  not 

lad  asked  his 
Ihus  expresses 


lestion  about 


shooting.  With  regard  to  those  things  that  are  not 
particularly  mentioned  in  the  Bible,  we  must  be  guided 
by  the  general  rules  and  commands  laid  down  in  Scrip- 
ture ;  and  in  determining  what  is,  and  what  is  not  lawful, 
each  one  must  be  guided  by  the  measure  of  light  which 
God  has  given  him.  The  general  rule  is  plain.  *  Love 
not  the  world,  neither  the  things  that  are  in  the  world  ;' 
*  be  not  conformed  to  this  world  ;'  and,  '  do  all  to  the  glory 
of  God.'  By  this  standard  we  must  judge  all  things,  and 
be  judged  by  it  in  all  our  occupations  and  pursuits. 

"  I  agree  with  you,  as  a  general  rule,  in  thinking  that 
what  is  not  right  for  a  clergyman,  cannot  be  any  more  so 
for  a  layman.  But  I  think  there  are  many  exceptions 
to  this  rule.  For  instance,  I  cannot  conceive  there 
being  anything  actually  wrong  in  an  individual  fishing 
or  shooting.  At  the  same  time,  I  think  such  entirely 
worldly  pursuits  are  unbecoming  the  character  and  duties 
of  one  who  is  set  over  souls.  The  same  may  be  said  of 
many  things.  Our  great  object  in  life  is  to  glorify  our 
Father  who  is  in  heaven,  and  to  seek  to  please  Him  in  all 
things,  and  to  devote  all  we  possess  to  His  service.  What- 
ever hinders  us  in  doing  these  things,  ought  certainly  to 
be  given  up.  # 

"I  feel  ill  able  to  advise,  but  would  say  to  you,  if 
you  are  in  doubt  about  anything,  ask  of  God  to  guide 
your  judgment,  and  incline  your  will  to  that  course 
which  He  approves.  Whatever  appears  right  (God's 
word  being  the  test),  do  not  hesitate  to  engage  in  it.  If, 
on  the  contrary,  there  is  any  doubt,  give  it  up  at  once. 
God  will  guide  you  aright,  if  you  lean  upon  Him.  See 
tlie  promise,  Phil.  iv.  6,  7." 


216 


RETURN  TO  ENGLAND. 


I 


If  there  was  one  thing  more  impressed  on  Captain 
Hammond's  mind  than  another,  it  was  this  deep  sense  of 
the  necessity  of  separation  from  the  world.  All  his  cor- 
respondence shews  this  ;  and  a  remark  that  he  made  to  a 
younger  brother,  in  reference  to  this  subject,  deseiives 
mention.  They  were  dining  together,  after  Captain  Ham- 
mond's return  from  Canada,  with  another  friend.  The 
latter  said,  "  I  wonder,  if  I  was  to  go  to  the  theatre  now, 
whether  I  should  enjoy  it?"  Captain  Hammond  replied, 
"  If  you  found  yourself  there,  a  sight  of  the  Saviour  on 
His  cross  would  take  away  all  relish  for  it." 

That  he  felt  the  necessity  of  living  "  out  of  the  world" 
as  far  as  its  pleasures  and  follies  go,  and  above  it  and 
beyond  it,  even  in  its  duties,  occupations,  and  ties  of  every 
nature,  may  be  gathered  from  the  next  letter. 

**  December  6, 1849. 

"  I  am  praying  for  a  greater  measure  of  contentment. 
We  need  this  much ;  there  is  a  natural  craving  after  some- 
thing earthly  which  we  think  would  fill  up  our  cup  of 
happiness.  Oh,  to  be  a  weaned  child  !  in  whatever  state 
we  are  therewith  to  be  content ;  anxious  only  to  please 
our  Lord  and  Master ;  to  glorify  Him  in  our  bodies  and 
spirits.  I  have  been  thinking  more  lately  on  the  subject 
of  the  Lord's  second  appearing.  The  more  I  meditate  on 
it,  the  more  deeply  practical  does  it  appear.  Did  we  live 
in  the  light  of  His  second  coming,  how  detached  would 
our  hearts  be  from  all  that  now  binds  them  to  earth. 
How  jealous  should  we  be  of  taking  too  much  thought  for 
the  cares,  and  the  pleasures,  and  the  schemes  of  thi.  world, 
seeing  that  all  these  things  shall  be  dissolved.     With  one 


THE  SECOND  COMING  OF  TIIE  LORD. 


217 


precious  word  I  say,  good-night.  'Abide  in  Him  that 
when  He  shall  appear  we  may  have  confidence'  (1  John 
ii.  28). — In  the  love  of  Jesus,  your  most  affectionate, 

«  M.  M.  H." 


laviour  on 


The  next  extracts  were  written  to  a  lady,  whose  husband 
fell  a  self-sacrifice  to  his  ministering  zeal  during  the  fatal 
fever  at  Montreal,  and  whose  loss  was  deeply  felt  by  his 
congregation  at  Trinity. 

"My  DEAR  Mrs  W  «  «  «, — I  was  much  grieved  to  hear 
from  D  *  *  #  so  bad  an  account  of  dear  Trinity.  My 
heart  yearns  with  peculiar  affeqtion  to  those  walls,  so  hal- 
lowed in  my  remembrance.  What  a  lesson  is  taught  us 
from  the  history  of  that  little  church,  during  the  last  two 
years,  to  *  cease  from  men.'  You  must  doubtless  feel  the 
sad  change  very  keenly.  Who  would  have  thought  in  the 
spring  of  1847,  that  a  cloud  so  dark  would  have  burst 
on  that  then  flourishing  little  church.  But  blessed  be 
God,  the  believer  in  Jesus  does  not  sorrow  as  those  without 
hope.  Soon  will  sorrow  be  exchanged  for  unclouded  bliss, 
and  all  tears  wiped  away.  Soon  shall  we  join  the  com- 
pany who  have  reached  the  heavenly  Jerusalem,  and  join 
our  voices  with  those  loved  ones  who  have  gone  before  us, 
and  with  them  take  up  the  notes  of  eternal  praise.  '  To 
him  who  loved  us  and  washed  us  from  our  sins  in  his 
own  blood.'  *  Yet  a  little  while,  and  he  that  shall  come 
will  come,  and  shall  not  tarry.'  Indeed,  these  are  words  of 
comfort  with  which  to  cheer  and  comfort  one  another  as 
we  journey  through  this  lonely  wilderness.  Some  are 
called  upon  to  pass  through  the  deeper  waters,  and  to 


1 


!'■■ 


^f 


f 


n 


218 


RETURN  TO  ENGLAND. 


drink  a  larger  measure  of  the  cup  of  sorrow.  But  how 
precious  to  them  is  He  who  bears  them  up;  how  deep  is 
that  joy  which  succeeds  the  night  of  weeping.  .... 

"  I  have  seen  Mr  H  «  «  «  more  than  once,  and  have 
been  much  pleased  with  the  little  I  have  seen  of  him; 
such  earnestness,  such  charity,  such  humiUty — ^with  love 
to  Christ  such  as  one  does  not  often  meet  with.  He  seems 
to  realise  the  promise,  that  those  who  give  up  all  for  Christ 
shall  receive  a  hundredfold  for  all  they  lose  for  His  sake. . .  . 

"  What  of  Montreal  ?  and  other  spots  so  hallowed  in 
my  recollection  in  Canada  ?  I  cannot  refrain  from  writing 
at  greater  length  than  perhaps  I  ought:  yet  why  should 
apology  be  necessary  when  it  is  of  the  Lord's  people  and 
the  Lord's  work  that  we  speak  ?  Surely  it  is  our  privilege 
to  speak  of  common  interests,  common  hopes,  common 
joys,  and  common  sorrows,  and  then  to  realise  our  com- 
munion in  Jesus." 


m 


MABBIAGB. 


219 


But  how 
}w  deep  is 

•     •     • 

and  have 
1  of  him; 
-with  love 

He  seems 
for  Christ 
s  saKOa  •  •  • 
illowed  in 
)m  writing 
rhy  should 
3eople  and 
r  privilege 
i,  common 

our  com- 


OHAPTERXV. 


mm^t 


"  There  is  an  outer  world,  and  there  is  an  inner  oentm; 
And  many  varying  rings  concentric  round  tiie  self. 
For  first  abont  a  man — after  his  communion  with  heayen— 
Is  found  the  helpmate  even  as  himself;  the  wife  of  his  tows  and  affections. 
Wheel  in  wheel,  and  world  in  world,  come  the  hand  of  children. 
And  tender  nest  of  young  soft  hearts ;  each  to  be  separately  studied ; 
And  a  man  blest  with  these  hath  made  bis  own  society." 

FbOYXIIBIAL  PfllLOSOPHT. 

It  was  natural  to  a  mind  daily  increasing  in  spiritual 
growth,  daily  sitting  looser  to  the  things  of  th.e  world, 
that  the  ordinary  habits  of  barrack  life,  and  the  tone  and 
conversation  of  a  mess-room  should  become  less  and  less 
congenial  It  could  not  well  be  otherwise;  and  at  Park- 
hurst,  where  the  dep6t  of  several  regiments  were  united, 
and  the  society  of  the  mess-room  was  not  even  that  of  his 
own  regiment,  Maxy  Hammond  began  to  feel  strongly 
the  chilling  influences  around  him,  anu  vO  yearn  for  a  home 
of  his  own.  He  remembered,  with  a  grateful  heart,  how, 
in  the  home  of  a  brother  officer,  he  had  first  drunk  in 
those  truths. which  had  been  the  pole-star  of  his  after-Kfe; 
and  he  longed  to  have  an  opportunity  of  ofifenng  to  others 
a  welcome,  which  had  conferred  so  great  a  blessing  on 
himself.     It  was  his  ardent  desire  to  be  the  head  of  a 


220 


MARRIAGE. 


Christian  household.  The  text  that  he  used  often  to 
allude  to  as  describing  this  was  Psalm  cxviii.  1 5,  "  The 
voice  of  rejoicing  and  salvation  are  in  the  tabernacles  of 
the  righteous.''  Captain  Hammond  looked  forward  to 
marriage,  therefore,  as  the  means  of  realising  this  happi- 
ness. He  had  a  very  high  view  of  its  blessedness,  as 
illustrating  the  union  between  Christ  and  His  Church.  In 
a  note  to  his  brother,  he  says,  "  I  trust,  if  it  be  the  Lord's 
will,  there  will  be  a  way  opened  up  in  His  providence 
towards  the  attainment  of  my  wishes.  But  I  desire  to 
remember  that  the  time  is  short,  and  that  we  must  learn 
to  sit  loosely  to  earthly  hopes  and  prospects,  though  it  is 
lawful  to  desire  a  Christian  companion,  coupling  the  desire 
with  *  if  the  Lord  wilL'  Oh !  for  a  more  realising  sense 
of  the  presence  and  all-suflBciency  of  Jesus !  we  should  then 
look  less  to  the  creature,  and  feel  that  He  is  enough."  At 
an  earlier  time,  speaking  of  another's  marriage,  he  said, 
"  The  great  thing  is  *  character;'  such  a  character,  I  mean, 
as  is  described  in  the  last  chapter  of  Proverbs."  Accord- 
ingly, early  in  June  1850,  he  writes  to  announce  to  his 
numerous  Mends  the  happy  change  which  awaited  him : — 


Jtme  12,  1850. 

*'  My  dear  Mrs  H  #  #  #, — I  am  resolved  not  to  let 
another  day  pass  without  announcing  to  you  an  event  of 
great  importance  as  regards  myself — that  I  am  going  to 

be  married  (if  the  Lord  will) I  feel  sure  that  you 

and  your  dear  husband  will  unite  with  us  in  the  earnest 
prayer,  that  our  union  may  be  in  the  Lord;  that  it  may  be 
our  first  and  great  desire  that  the  name  of  Jesus  may  be 
glorified  in  it" 


r 


•*- 


often  to 
15,  "The 
lacles  of 
rward  to 
s  happi- 
Iness,  as 
irch.  In 
le  Lord's 
ovidence 
iesire  to 
ast  learn 
ugh  it  is 
lie  desire 
ng  sense 
)uld  then 
^h."  At 
he  said, 
I  mean, 
Accord- 
t  to  his 
him: — 

1850. 

)t  to  let 

jvent  of 

foing  to 

hat  you 

earnest 

may  be 

may  be 


t 


n,. 
'*0 


ANNOUNCEMENT  OF  HIS  tCARBIAOE.  221 

To  one  of  his  brothers,  he  says: — 

"/me  11,  1350. 

"Our  prayer  is,  that  we  may  be  His,  that  our  union 
may  be  in  Him,  and  to  Him ;  that  our  one  desire  and  aim 
may  be  to  glorify  Him  in  our  bodies,  and  in  our  spirits, 
which  are  His." 

In  another  letter,  dated 

"Paekhurst,  Jime  15,  1850. 

"I  desire  to  recognise  the  hand  of  my  gracious  and 
loving  Father,  in  this  great  instance  of  His  goodness,  for 
I  cannot  doubt  that  the  gift  is  from  Him.  I  feel  that 
His  blessing  will  rest  upon  our  union.  What  a  mercy  to 
have  been  permitted  to  secure  the  affections  of  one  who 
will  lead  me  on,  and  help  me  forward  in  the  journey  home- 
wards!" 

To  a  brother  oflScer— 

Paekhurst,  July  9, 1850. 

"  Now  do  make  haste,  and  find  your  way  across  the 
great  pond  which  is  between  us,  as  soon  as  possible,  for  I 
want  you  to  be  in  time  for  my  marriage !  £  am  in  hopes 
there  will  be  a  groat  gathering  of  the  original  brethren  on 
the  eventful  occasion.  L«««,  W«««,  G«««, 
and  yourself.  How  I  wish  that  dear  J  «  «  «  might  also 
be  of  the  number.  ....  Ought  I  not  to  be  thankful !  I 
am  thankful,  though  not  sufficiently  so.  God  has  gianted 
me  all  the  desires  of  my  heart.  My  happiness  appears 
greater  each  day,  and  the  prospect  before  me  bright 
indeed.     But  I  feel  what  special  need  there  is  to  watch 


5585 


■FIT.- p" -•-'■■"'*■  imy-m4r-'  ■ 


222 


MABBIAOB. 


and  be  sober;  for  if  we  look  for  rest  on  earth,  we  are 
surely  deceiving  ourselves.  I  do  rejoice;  but  it  is  with 
trembling,  knowing  that  the  dream  of  earthly  happiness 
may  pass  away  in  a  moment,  and  then  what  has  the  soul 
to  rest  on  if  the  creature  has  been  made  an  idoL  Christ 
must  be  all  in  all.  His  love  must  be  supreme  in  the 
heart,  or  earthly  blessings  will  be  turned  to  a  curse.  Do 
pray  for  me,  that  I  may  receive  this  gift  from  the  Lord, 
as  a  talent  to  be  used  to  His  glory."" 


i. 


In  August  1850,  his  marriage  with  Eosa  Anne,  second 
daughter  of  Mr  Pennington,  was  solemnised;  and  the 
happy  couple  started  for  the  Cumberland  Lakes.  There, 
among  the  sweet  ferns  and  craggy  rocks  of  Borradaile, 
with  a  thankful  heart  he  considered  whose  hand  it  was 
that  fashioned  the  soft  slopes  of  Skiddaw,  and  cleft  the 
slaty  precipices  of  Honiston.  He  delighted  to  remember 
that  "the  mountains  shall  depart,  and  the  hills  be  re- 
moved; but  my  kindness  shall  not  depart  from  thee, 
neither  shall  the  covenant  of  my  peace  be  removed,  saith 
the  Lord  that  hath  mercy  on  thee."  After  this  tour  he  re- 
turned to  the  Isle  of  Wight,  and  took  a  house,  with  his 
wife,  at  Newport;  very  near  to  which  town  the  barracks 
of  Parkhurst  are  situated. 

Here  he  soon  resumed  his  active  habits.  He  took  the 
entire  charge  of  the  dep6t  schools,  in  the  week  as  well  as 
on  Sundays.  He  also  established  a  Sunday  school  there, 
and  conducted  a  service  at  the  hospital  oji  Sunday  after- 
noons. Here  he  was  permitted  to  see  one  blessed  instance 
of  a  heart  given  to  God,  apparently  through  his  instru- 
mentality.    A  little  girl,  the  daughter  of  a  sergeant  in  the 


I     *■' 


HIS  LOVE  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY. 


223 


Rifles,  had  been  a  troublesome  and  unruly  child.  She 
had  not  long  attended  the  school  when  she  became  very 
attentive,  and  evidently  interested;  and  it  was  percep- 
tible that  the  truth  was  reaching  her.  Her  conduct  at 
home  soon  changed  entirely,  and  she  became  a  comfort 
and  help  to  her  parents.  When  the  regiment  was  re- 
moved to  Chatham,  the  child  was  attacked  with  scarlet 
fever;  and,  her  illness  increasing,  she  was  visited  by  the 
clergyman.  He  found  her  on  her  deathbed.  The  only 
words  that  she  had  strength  to  utter,  were  "  My  precious 
Saviour."  The  following  day  she  had  joined  the  ransomed 
host  above.  Captain  Hammond  was  a  very  diligent 
district  visitor  among  the  poor  during  the  time  he  re- 
mained at  Newport.  Here  he  also  formed  a  friendship 
with  a  family,  which  was  among  his  strongest  and  most 
enduring.  ^ 

His  home,  at  this  time,  was  the  pictnre  of  happiness;  and 
pleasant,  indeed,  were  those  excursions  to  the  Needles,  or 
to  Alum  Bay,  when,  with  a  face  beaming  with  delight,  he 
would  join  the  party  with  some  fossil  he  had  found ;  or 
with  some  wild  flower,  over  which,  as  he  examined  it  with 
his  lens,  he  would  dwell  with  admiring  wonder  at  the 
wisdom  which  had  formed  it,  and  would  see  in  it  a 
Father's  love.  He  used  to  say  that  he  regarded  a  love 
of  natme,  and  a  capacity  for  enjoying  the  works  of  God's 
hands,  as  manifestations  of  His  power  and  greatness, 
as  a  high  Christian  privilege,  and  a  specially  lawful 
source  of  delight — 

"  Birds  and  baasts, 

And  the  mute  flsh  that  glances  in  the  stream ; 

And  harmless  reptile,  coiling  in  the  sun ; 


224) 


MARRIAGE. 


I  I 


And  gorgeous  insect,  hovering  in  the  air; 
The  fowl  domestic,  and  the  household  dog; 
In  his  capacious  mind,  he  loved  them  all" 

He  was  very  fond  of  these  lines  of  Cowper's,  ending 
wi;;h,  "My  Father  made  thv>m  all;"  and,  frequently,  in 
his  drives  through  the  beautiM  parts  of  the  island, 
would  ask  his  wife  to  repeat  them.  After  one  of  these 
botanising  excursions,  he  came  into  the  room  with  a 
flower,  saying  that,  as  he  picked  it,  the  words  came 
forcibly  into  his  mind — 

"  For  that  Thy  name  is  near,  0  Lord, 
Thy  wondrous  works  declare ;" 

and  added,  "  What  delight  it  gives  to  the  believer  to  feel 
the  nearness  of  God,  as  displayed  in  the  care  bestowed 
upon  each  insect  and  flower." 

In  the  midst  of  all  this  happiness,  he  learned  th  .,t  the 
wife  of  his  very  dearest  friend  had  been  taken  ft-om  him. 
"While  his  own  cup  of  happiness  was  overflowing,  he  felt 
mora  tenderly  for  the  grief  of  another. 


"But  what  a  change!"  he  writes  in  a  letter  to  his 
mother,  "  to  put  off  the  vile  body,  to  be  made  like  unto 
His  glorious  body !  Scarcely  had  she  tasted  the  sweet- 
ness of  the  marriage-tie  on  earth,  before  she  was  called  to 
sit  down  at  the  marriage-supper  of  the  Lamb.  '  I  heard 
a  voice  from  heaven,  saying,  Blessed  are  they  which  are 
called  to  the  marriage-supper  of  the  Lamb '  (Rev.  xix.  9). 
This  was  the  chapter  on  which  I  heard  such  a  beautifW 
exposition,  ,by  Capel  Molyneux,  the  day  before  the 
wedding.     A  year  and  Ave  days  have  passed  since  then, 


5    \ 


ALM8(JIVliNc} 


225 


and  tlie  bridal  wreath  has  hocn  exclianfjed  for  the  crown 
of  glory.  For  her,  we  cannot  but  rejoice  and  praise.  Her 
works  testify  that  she  was  ripe  for  glory.  So  th^  heavenly 
reaper  put  in  His  sickle,  and  gathered  her  into  His  garner. 
But  the  poor  mourner,  '  the  desolate  widower  ;*  the  be- 
reaved and  smitten  mother!  these  call  forth  our  sympathy 
and  our  heartfelt  prayers." 

And  in  another  letter,  he  says  again — 

"This  seems,  indeed,  a  mysterious  providence,  but 
doubtless  it  is  a  loving  one.  How  it  should  teach  us  to 
sit  loose  to  earthly  objects,  seeing  that  the  most  precious 
of  them  may  be  removed  from  our  embrace.  I  feel  this 
especially;  for  I  tremble  lest  I  make  an  idol  of  my  wife." 

Captain  Hammond's  altered  position  in  life,  as  a  mar- 
ried man,  with  the  increased  expense  of  an  establishment, 
induced  him,  at  this  time,  to  consider  a  more  systematic 
course  in  distributing  his  general  charities.  Hitherto, 
having  had  none  but  himself  to  provide  for,  they  had  been 
large.  But  he  was  now  obliged  to  reduce  them;  and, 
knowing  that  God  accepts  according  to  the  "willing 
mind,"  he  set  a  minimum  to  his  expenditure  in  alms 
at  one-tenth  of  his  income.  Still  he  did  not  adhere  to 
this  sum;  but  rejoiced  in  giving  up  to  his  means,  oiid 
.sometimes  beyond,  when  objects  of  interest  were  brough'. 
before  him.  Some  texts,  which  he  wrote  on  this  sub- 
ject in  a  MS.  book,  are  characteristic  of  his  feeling  on 
this  head: — 

'        "  Remember  the  words  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Girist,  how 


^26 


MARRIAOB. 


he  said,  It  is  more  blessed  to  give  than  to  receive  " 
(Acts  XX.  35). 

"  Ye  know  the  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  that 
though  he  was  rich,  yet  for  your  sakes  he  became  poor; 
that  ye,  through  his  poverty,  might  be  rich"  (2  Cor. 
viii.  9). 

"  For  even  Christ  pleased  not  himself  "  (Rom.  xv.  8). 

At  this  time  he  expected  to  be  removed  to  Chatham : — 

"There  is  no  doubt,  I  fear,  of  Chatham  being  our 
final  destination;  a  vile  place  in  itself;  truly  a  place 
where  Satan's  seat  is.  But  what  a  comfort  to  know 
that  our  God  shall  choose  our  inheritance  for  us,  which 
settles  and  quiets  the  mind.  It  is  enough  to  have  the 
promise,  *LoI  I  am  with  you  always.*  The  presence  of 
Jesus  is  sufficient  to  make  glad  '  the  wilderness,'  and  the 
desert  to  rejoice  and  blossom  like  the  rose." 


I 


He  had  chosen  a  text,  on  the  occasion  of  his  marriage, 
looking  forward  to  a  wandering  life.  He  had  it  engraved 
on  his  seal,  and  often  used  to  allude  to  it  when  people 
condoled  with  him  on  being  sent  to  disagreeable  quarters. 
It  was  Ps.  xlvii.  4 — "  He  shall  choose  our  inheritance  for 
us."  We  can  trace  this  same  feeling  in  a  letter,  written 
to  a  friend,  who  had  been  ordered  to  another  quarter: — 

"May24f,  1852. 

"  I  do  feel  very  sorry  for  you,  both  in  having  to  break  up 
your  comfortable  and  happy  present  home,  and  to  leave 
so  many  friends  and  objects  of  interest  at  Woolwich. 
But  we  must  look  higher:   to  Him   that   appoints  for 


"HE  SHALL  CHOOSE  OUB  INHERITANCE  FOB  US."  227 


US  the  bounds  of  our  habitation,  and  who  chooseth  out 
for  His  people  their  inheritance.  This  is  a  blessed 
thought  to  the  Christian,  that  all  his  steps  are  ordered  by 
the  Lord,  and  that  it  is  He  who  directs  his  way.  It  will 
be  our  earnest  prayer  that  His  presence  and  blessing 
may  go  with  you,  that  you  may  have  grace  to  carry  the 
seed  of  the  gospel  with  you,  and  to  diffuse  the  blessings 
you  have  yourself  found,  as  you  have  opportunity.  In 
this  act  of  our  life,  as  soldiers  and  missionaries,  how  deep  is 
the  responsibility  that  rests  upon  us;  and  how  great 
the  privilege  and  honour  of  being  called  upon  to  witness 
for  Him,  whose  name  we  bear,  and  whom  we  profess  to 


serve. 


» 


228 


CONSClEliliUVSNESa 


I  ) 


CHAPTER  XVL 


^mmmixmsnm. 


. 


"  *  Do  all  to  the  glory  of  GK>d.'  All— the  very  least  things,  which  all  miut 
do  every  day— which  our  Lord  includes  under  the  name  of  daily  hread ; 
that  so  we  may  stop  at  nothing  short  of  all :  but  our  whole  being,  doings 
thinking,  living,  willing,  having,  longing,  be  wrapt  up,  gathered,  con* 
omtrated,  in  the  one  will  and  good  pleasure  of  Qod."— Db  Fusbt. 

The  change  of  quarters  to  Chatham  very  soon  occurred, 
and  in  September  following  we  find  Captain  Hammond 
dating  a  letter  from  thence  on  the  subject  of  the  establish- 
ment of  an  Army  Prayer  Union.  This  suggestion  had  been 
put  forward  by  Captain  T  •  *  «,  formerly  of  the  2d  Life 
Guards ;  and,  in  reply  to  a  communication  on  the  subject, 
Captain  Hanmiond  writes : — 

"Chatham,  September  15,  1851. 

"  I  have  to  thank  you,  as  well  as  some  other  friend,  for 
your  having  sent  me  your  proposal  for  an  Army  Prayer 
Union.  Most  cordially  do  I  unite  with  you  in  the  object 
proposed ;  and  I  bless  God  that  He  has  put  it  in  your 
heart  to  undertake  it.  To  me  it  appears  very  singular 
that  this  object  should  have  been  contemplated  and  carriefl 
into  effect  by  some  of  God's  servants,  who  feel  an  interest 
in  the  spiritual  welfare  of  the  army,  at  this  particular  time. 


PROPOSED  ARMY  PRAYER  UNION. 


229 


For  it  so  happens,  that  I  had  been  thinking  upon  this  very 
same  subject  for  several  weeks  past;  and  it  was  my  inten- 
tion to  take  immediate  steps  towards  forming  such  a 
Prayer  Union.  I  had  thought  of  the  names  of  about  forty 
friends,  to  whom  I  was  going  to  write,  when,  to  my  sur- 
prise and  great  delight,  your  proposal  was  put  into  my 
hands  last  evening  by  my  friend  Captain  J  *  *  *,  and  I 
was  rejoiced  to  find  that  the  desire  of  my  heart  had  been 
anticipated  and  accomplished  already.  Your  name  had 
been  suggested  to  my  mind  as  one  who  might  well  under- 
take to  receive  names,  &c. ;  but  amidst  your  multiplied 
engagements  in  various  Christian  objects,  I  hardly  imagined 
you  could  have  undertaken  it.  God  gran.t  that  the  pro- 
posal may  comn^end  itself  to  very  many  dear  brethren 
in  the  army  who  love  the  Lord  Jesus !  Allow  me  to  sug- 
gest some  slight  alterations  in  addition  to  the  prayer  you 
have  already  drawn  up : — 

"1.  As  to  the  time.  That  it  be  once  a  week,  say  every 
Thursday,  instead  of  once  a  month  only. 

"  2.  That  chaplains  should  be  invited  to  join. 

"  3.  That  the  following  subjects  for  prayer  be  specified: 
(1.)  Officers  of  high  rank  and  authority.  (2.)  Military 
chaplains.     (3.)  Regimental  Day  and  Sunday  schools. 

"  4.  That  all  "^ho  profess  themselves  followers  of  Christ 
may  adorn  the  gospel  by  holy  and  consistent  lives ;  that 
they  may  be  enabled  to  walk  in  wisdom  towards  those 
who  are  without ;  and  that  they  may  be  endued  with  sound 
wisdom  and  boldness  in  confessing  Christ  before  men. 

"  6.  That  the  cause  of  missions  to  the  heathen  and  the 
interests  of  pure  religion  in  the  colonies  may  be  advanced 
by  means  of  God's  servants  in  the  army. 


230 


CONSCIENTIOUSNESS. 


"  I  remain,  my  dear  sir,  faithfully  yours  in  the  bonds 
of  the  gospel,  «M.  M.  H." 

He  adds  on  this  subject,  Nov.  17,  1851 : — 

"It  was  suggested  to  me  the  other  day,  that  it  would 
be  desirable  that  the  Union  should  embrace  the  navy  also. 
Perhaps  such  a  person  as  Admiral  *  •  •  or  Sir  •  «  • 
would  take  up  the  matter.     Have  you  thought  anything 
further  of  publishing  the  names  for  private  circulation 
among  the  members?    It  might  tend  to  the  advantage 
and  convenience  of  knowing  to  whom  one  might  look  for 
Christian  sympathy,  when  brought  into  contact  with  any 
portion  of  the  army  or  fleet.     I  feel  sure  that  very  many 
Christian  officers,  now  in  the  Crimea,  are  unk^c^ii  to  each 
other  even  by  name.     It  might  be  of  the  great^,        i  sfit  to 
some  young  Christians  could  they  have  the  an.  .....iAge  of 

intercourse  with  others  Uke-minded." 

Three  years  later  he  writes  to  Captain  T  •  •  «  on  the 
same  subject : — 

"  Dover,  December  5, 1854. 

'*  I  am  thankful  to  learn  that  you  have  as  many  as  300 
names,  including  non-commissioned  officers.  It  is  also 
gratifying  to  know  that  a  similar  Union  already  exists  in 
the  navy.  A  circular  at  this  time  would  be  very  useful 
when  the  Lord's  chastening  is  upon  us  as  a  nation." 

At  the  request  of  the  gentleman  who  was  the  origi- 
nator of  the  Army  Prayer  Union,  we  introduce  here  a 
printed  statement  of  its  objects: — 


'■'>, 


, 


AEMY  PRAYER  UNION — ITS  OBJECTS.  231 

ARMY   PRAYER  UNION, 

FOR  BOTH  OFFICERS  AND  MEN. 

" '  Again,  I  say  unto  yon,  That  if  two  of  you  shall  agree  on  earth  as 
touching  anything  that  they  shall  ask,  it  shall  be  done  for  thei  .  of  my 
Father  which  is  in  hearen'  (Matt,  xviii.  19). 

" '  And  this  is  the  confidence  that  we  have  in  him,  that,  if  we  ask 
anything  according  to  his  will,  he  heareth  us'  (1  John  v.  14). 

"  You  are  invited  to  unite  on  the  1st  of  each  month  specially,  and 
also  every  Sunday  morning,  with  others  of  the  Lord's  people,  formerly  in 
the  army,  or  now  serving  at  home  or  abroad,  in  either  social  or  private 
prayer,  as  may  be  convenient  in  each  locality.  The  following  objects 
are  suggested: — 

"  1.  That  we  may  have  a  deeper  sense  of  our  own  sintulness,  failure, 
and  neglect  in  watching  unto  prayer  for  opportunities  to  serve  and 
glorify  our  €k)d. 

"  2.  That,  as  children  of  God,  we  may  increasingly  manifest  our 
union  with  Jesus,  our  risen  Lord,  >  y  i;  life  more  simply  devoted  to  His 
service,  a  more  watchful;  subdued,  and  prayerful  spirit,  with  greater 
delight  in  His  Word;  more  oneness  \dth  His  people,  and  love  for  the 
souls  of  others;  greater  self  denial  and  victory  over  the  world,  the 
flesh,  and  the  devil ;  and  that  we  may  energetically  seek  to  honour  and 
use  the  Lord's  day. 

"  8.  That,  in  dependence  on  the  Holy  Spirit,  more  energy  may  be 
used  for  the  spread  of  the  truth,  as  it  is  in  Jesus,  in  the  army;  and 
that  God  may  be  pleased  to  bless  the  efforts  already  made,  to  the  con- 
version  of  many,  and  the  strengthening  of  those  converted  to  stand 
out  as  good  soldiers  of  Jesus  Christ. 

"  4.  That  our  hearts  may  be  raised  up  in  praise  and  thanlugiving 
to  God  for  His  loving-kindness  and  long-suffering  towards  us,  sparing 
us  till  now,  and  giving  us  any  desire  to  use  those  open  doors  of  service 
which  He  still  graciously  affords  us;  as  well  as  for  every  measure  of 
blessing  which  has  followed  the  means  already  used. 

"  6.  That  we  fail  not  to  rem.mber  the  Queen,  and  all  those  who  are 
in  positions  of  authority  and  responsibility,  danger,  or  difficulty,  as  well 


OJPNpjILIJUl      lllll'" 


•mm^nrmmmttirmffp. 


»ii(iMiii'J'iA«iiM* 


282 


CONSCIENTIOUSNESS. 


aa  all  ministera,  schoolmasters,  schools,  hospitals,  widows,  wives,  aud 
children  connected  with  the  serrice. 

"Names. 


"  6.  That  we  acknowledge  with  thankfulness,  that  within  two  or 
three  months  of  the  issuing  of  the  first  edition  of  this  paper,  a  Union 
for  Prayer  for  the  Royal  Navy,  and  another  for  the  Corps  of  Boyal 
Engineers,  were  circulated  in  a  similar  manner  to  our  own.  The  day 
and  hour  fixed  by  the  fonner  is  every  Sunday,  from  7  to  11  a.m.,  and 
the  latter  every  Monday.  Within  six  months  300  names  were  recorded 
on  our  list. 

"  Any  su^^stions,  as  well  as  the  names  and  addresses,  now,  and 
fh)m  time  to  time,  of  any  who  wish  to  join  in  this  object,  will  be 
thankfully  received,  post-paid,  by  Captain  Trottbb,  late  2d  Life 
Guards.  It  is  intended,  occasionally,  to  conununicate  by  way  of 
remembrance  with  every  person  who  shall  give  an  address  in  the 
United  Kingdom,  whence  letters  can  be  forwarded  if  they  are  abroad. 

"  Dtbham  Pabk,  Babnet,  Hbbts, 
"  England,  June  1861." 

At  Chatham,  as  usual,  Captain  Hammond  sought  imme- 
diate occasion  for  usefulness,  and  lent  his  zealous  co-opera- 
tion towards  another  institution  at  that  time  projected — 
The  Naval  and  Military  Scripture  Readers'  Association : — 

"  The  proposed  Naval  and  Military  Scripture  Readers' 
Association,"  he  says,  in  a  letter  to  an  officer,  "  is  a  de- 
lightful idea.  May  the  Lord  bring  good  out  of.  it  I  I 
am  strongly  of  opinion  that  it  would  be  better  to  act 
quite  independently  of  any  other  existing  society.  If  it 
is  distinctly  a  naval  and  military  thing,  many  more  sup- 
porters may  be  reckoned  upon  than  if  it  were  connected 
with  anything  else.  I  have  written  to  ask  W  «  *  ♦  if 
he  would  not  take  part  in  such  a  movement." 


SCRIPTUBE  READERS   ASSOCIATION. 


233 


And,  writing  again  to  the  same  oificer,  December  19, 
1851:— 


"  I  am  glad  you  have  been  so  successful  about  your 
missions.  Our  income  for  the  first  year  is  nearly  raised, 
and  a  pious  and  altogether  promising  man  is  engaged  for 
the  work,  to  commence  operations  on  the  1st  Januaiy. 
He  is  to  have  £60  a-year,  which,  I  think,  is  reasonable." 

In  connexion  with  this,  he  writes: — 

"  Canterbury,  April  23,  1853. 

"I  wrote  on  behalf  of  the  Kent  Scripture  Beaders' 
Association,  to  confirm  the  appointment  of  Mr  B  »  «  « 
as  the  agent  to  be  employed  at  Brompton — the  parent 
society  to  continue  the  same  grant  towards  assisting  the 
payment  of  the  salary  as  they  made  before,  viz.,  £25 
per  annum." 

Yet,  with  his  hands  always  employed  in  some  useful 
work,  he  still  felt  that  he  was  doing  too  little — less  than 
he  might,  and  less  than  others.  "  I  envy  those  men/'  he 
says,  "  who  find  time  for  everything,  and  who  get  through 
all  that  they  mean  to  do.  I  believe  we  might  do  more 
than  we  have  any  idea  of,  if  we  are  only  resohed  to  do 
it ;  and  this  is  true  in  spiritual  as  well  as  natural  things. 
The  indolent  Christian  cannot  be  a  faithful  one.  The  soul 
will  and  does  languish,  if  we  cease  from  active  and  self- 
denying  diligence  in  all  things.  Oh,  to  have  the  film  re- 
move jd  from  our  eyes,  and  to  see  the  ruined  and  miser- 
able condition  of  those  who  are  without  Christ;  and  to 


I 


<* 


234 


CONSCIENTIOUSNESS. 


behold  also  the  glory,  the  fulness,  and  the  freeness  of 
grace  that  there  is  in  Jesus !  I  feel  how  easy  it  is  to 
become  careless  and  indifferent  about  the  souls  of  others, 
from  a  want  of  the  realisation  of  these  two  things." 

And,  a  very  short  time  before,  he  wrote  (March  3, 
Newport) — "I  send  you  a  short  letter  from  Rev.  Mr 
C  «  «  «,  thinking  that  you  may  find  it  calculated  to  stir 
up  and  animate  your  heart  in  the  great  work  of  *  pressing 
towards  the  i  lark  for  the  prize  of  your  '  high  calling  in 
Christ  Jesus.'  ....  I  feel  ashamed  and  humbled  at  my 
stunted  growth,  when  one  who  set  out  long  after  me  has 
so  outstripped  me  in  the  heavenly  race.  This  ought  not, 
and  need  not  to  be.  The  fulness  of  Jesus  is  not  exhausted, 
neither  are  His  promises  limited.  I  feel  that  my  spiritual 
leanness  is  because  of  my  indolence ;  *  Ye  have  not,  be- 
cause ye  ask  not.'  Let  our  motto  be  henceforth,  *  Looking 
unto  Jesus.'" 

At  Chatham,  Captain  Hammond  formed,  with  an  officer 
of  the  Royal  Engineers,  one  of  those  close  friendships 
which  seemed  to  spring  up  and  to  cling  round  him  wher- 
ever his  footsteps  fell.  This  officer,  recurring  to  that 
happy  acquaintance,  says : — 

"We  had  known  each  other  bait  a  very  short  time 
before  we  became  intimate  friends.  I  have  found  a 
delight  in  intercourse  with  him  such  as  I  have  seldom 
experienced;  and  in  our  rides  and  walks  together,  and 
evenings  very  often  spent  at  each  other's  houses,  we 
enjoyed  a  hearty,  friendly  sympathy,  which  I  look  back 
upon  as  one  of  the  greatest  blessings  of  my  life.  Whilst 
at  Chatham,  ho  was  ever  thinking  of  doing  good.     The 


USEFULNESS  AT  CHATHAM. 


235 


first  scheme  of  usefulness  he  set  on  foot  there,  was 
a  Si<uday  school  for  the  children  of  the  soldiers  of  the 
garrison,  which  he  superintended  and  managed,  with 
the  assistance  of  his  wife,  Mrs  J.  «  «  «,  and  other  friends. 
There  was  some  opposition  to  the  establishment  of  this 
school;  but  he  was  not  thereby  discouraged  in  the  work, 
but  continued  it  during  the  whole  time  he  was  at  Chatham, 
until  ordered  to  Canterbury  iu  the  following  year.  He 
used  to  fc^''«  a  Bible  class  in  the  week  at  the  boys' 
school  in  Ouatham  Barracks;  and  he  took  the  greatest 
delight  in  making  arrangements  for  their  school  feasts, 
making  up  the  decorations  of  the  room,  and  distributing 
Scripture  prints  among  them.  He  was,  besides,  instru- 
mental in  inducing  several  officers  with  their  families, 
and  young  officers,  with  two  clergymen,  to  meet  every 
fortnight  at  each  other's  houses,  for  reading  the  Bible 
and  prayer.  There  was  one  friend  of  onrs,  a  Ueutenant 
in  the  •  «  «th,  to  whom  he  was  c*  especial  use  in  en- 
lightening him  with  respect  to  his  views  of  Christianity. 
Mrs  •  •  •  told  me  in  Malta,  not  long  since,  that  she 
longed  to  write  to  express  her  gratitude  fcr  the  incal- 
culable benefit  in  spiritual  things  that  Captain  Hammond 
had,  in  a  great  measure,  been  the  means  of  producing  in 
her  son." 

There  are  probably  few  persons  by  whom  the  leading 
anniversaries  of  the  year — such  as  Christmas,  New  Year's 
Day,  our  birth-days,  or  other  regularly  recurring  periods 
— are  altogether  passed  unheeded.  We  most  of  us  cKng 
to  them,  with  more  or  less  observance,  as  marked  points 
in  the  passage  of  timp — as  resting-places  in  the  journey 
of  life,  where  we  can  pause  and  look  back,  each  with  such: 


236 


CONSCIENTIOUSNESS. 


Iff      I 


mingled  feelings  &s  belong  to  our  own  individual  selves, 
but  each,  in  common  with  the  rest,  looking  forward  with 
.lome  measure  of  hope  to  the  future.  Maxy  Hammond 
seems  very  constantly  to  have  used  these  seasons  as  oppor- 
tunities for  an  interchange  of  thought,  sympathy,  encou- 
ragement, c:  exhortation,  with  those  friends  with  whom 
L.  corresponded ;  and  on  one  of  these  occasions  he  writes 
the  next  two  letters:— 

"December  24,  1851. 

"My  dear  Friend, — ^I  cannot  pass  by  this  joyous 
season — the  eve  of  Christmas,  and  the  anniversary  of  the 
year — ^without  sending  you  the  assurances  of  my  earnest 
wishes  and  prayers  for  y  welfare,  both  temporally  and 
spiritually.  It  is  a  happy  recurring  period  of  the  year, 
when  our  hearts  seem  peculiarly  drawn  forth  towards 
those  whom  we  consider  as  our  friends;  and  among 
them  I  reckon  you  as  one  of  the  dearest  and  most 
attached  which  my  gracious  God  has  given  me.  .... 
At  present,  let  us  dwell  for  a  little  on  the  glad  tidings 
of  great  joy  which  were  at  this  time  announced  in  the 
song  of  the  heavenly  host,  when  the  birth  of  the  Babe  at 
Bethlehem  was  made  known  to  the  shepherds. 

"  Blessed  be  Grod,  then,  glad  tidings  have  come  to  you 
and  to  me ;  so  that  we,  too,  may  rejoice  in  the  wondrous 
event  which  we  at  this  time  commemorate.  And  as  the 
wise  men  declared  that  they  had  seen  his  star  in  the  east, 
so  may  we,  too,  be  enabled  to  testify  that  the  midnight 
shadows  have  passed  away;  that  the  day  has  dawned,  and 
that  the  day-star  has  arisen  up  in  our  darkened  and  foolish 
hearts.     Yes,  my  dear  brother,  I  would  wish  you  a  merry 


:^r;.' 


lual  selves, 
[•ward  with 
Hammond 
8  as  oppor- 
bhy,  encou- 
ivith  whom 
8  he  writes 


4,  1851. 

ihis  joyous 
sary  of  the 
my  earnest 
porally  and 
f  the  year, 
th  towards 
md  among 
and  most 

me 

lad  tidings 

iced  in  the 

le  Babe  at 

me  to  you 
wondrous 
lind  as  the 
in  the  east, 
midnight 
Eiwned,  and 
and  foolish 
)u  a  merry 


THE  QLAD  TIDINGS. 


287 


Christmas,  not  in  the  worldly  sense  which  is  used  to 
desecrate  this  holy  season,  and  to  dishonour  Him  whom 
we  profess  to  remember,  but  in  a  sense  of  a  holy  rejoicing 
in  the  blessed  fact  which  is  revealed  to  us  in  the  gospel, 
that  unto  us  a  child  is  bom,  unto  ua  a  son  is  given,  whose 
name  is  called  Wonderful,  Counsellor,  The  mighty  God, 
The  everlasting  Father,  the  Prince  of  Peace.  And  since 
He  came  into  the  flesh,  and  endured  a  life  of  suffering 
such  as  none  other  ever  underwent,  until  He  finally  ended 
it  by  becoming  obedient  unto  death,  even  the  death  of  the 
cross,  for  our  sins,  we  may  at  this  season  look  forward 
with  humble,  yet  joyful  hope  to  the  period  of  His  second 
coming,  when  He  will  gather  His  elect  from  the  four 
comers  of  the  earth,  and  shall  give  them  a  name  and  a 
place  better  than  of  sons  and  of  daughters  in  the  kingdom 
above.  This  is  that  blessed  hope  which,  if  more  fully 
realised  and  more  habitually  meditated  upon,  would  afford 
comfort  in  sorrow,  support  in  trial,  strength  in  weakness, 
and  sobemess  in  prosperity. 

"  *  "  The  Lord  is  at  hand."  Then,  sorrowing  believer,  lift 
up  your  head,  for  your  redemption  draweth  nigh;  you 
shall  soon  reach  the  place  where  sorrow  and  sighing 
shall  for  ever  flee  away,  and  where  God  will  wipe  away  all 
tears  from  off  all  faces.  "  The  Lord  is  at  hand."  Then, 
tried  and  afflicted  believer,  rejoice  that  the  period  has 
arrived  when  it  will  be  seen  that  your  light  affliction, 
which  was  but  for  a  moment,  has  been  working  out  for 
you  a  more  e'iceeding  and  eternal  weight  of  glory.  "  The 
Lord  is  at  hand."  Then,  weak  and  fainting  believer,  take 
courage.  The  fight  is  over,  the  conflict  done  with;  the 
world,  self,  and  Satan  overcome;  the  shout  of  victory  is 


i 
t 


ih, 


538 


OONSOIBNXIUOSNESS. 


already  heard,  and  you  will  soon  be  numbered  with  those 
who  came  out  of  great  tribulation,  but  who  are  now  arrayed 
in  white  linen,  with  palms  in  their  hands.  "  The  Lord  is 
at  hand."  Then  let  your  moderation  be  known  to  all  men, 
0  believer!  if  tempted  by  prosperity,  if  satisfied  by  thy 
earthly  rest.*'  I  hope  to  be  enabled  to  pour  out  my  heart 
in  prayer  for  you  at  this  time,  and  I  know  I  need  not  ask 
you  to  do  the  same  for  me ;  nor  need  I  remind  you  how 
deeply  I  need  your  prayers,  for  my  wants  and  my  short- 
comings are  enough  to  exhaust  the  patience  of  the  God  of 
patience  Himself,  did  we  not  know  that  His  compassions 
fall  not,  and  that  He  hateth  putting  away.  I  know  some 
of  your  trials,  and,  therefore,  I  would  ask  that  you  may 
find  repose  in  resting  your  soul  on  the  faithf ulneas  of  your 
covenant  God,  that  you  may  find  that  it  is  indeed^- 
*  Sweet  to  be  passive  in  His  hands, 
And  know  no  will  but  His.' 
May  Jesus  be  felt  by  you  as  all-sufiicient,  whatever  trials 
you  may  be  called  to  endure !  May  His  grace  be  found 
sufficient  and  His  presence  a  full  compensation  for  the 
loss  of  earthly  comforts  I  I  cannot  ask  more  for  you  than 
to  turn  PhiL  iii  1 0  into  prayer,  and  to  pray  that  you  may 
know  Christ  in  the  power  of  His  resurrection  and  the 
fellowship  of  His  sufferings,  being  made  conformable  to 
His  death. 

"  And  now,  let  me  tell  you  some  of  my  manifold  wants 
and  deficiencies,  that  you  may  act  accordingly.  More 
love  to  God,  more  realising  faith,  more  of  the  spirit  of 
ijrayer,  more  self-denial,  more  faithfulness  in  confessino- 
Christ  before  men,  and  more  zeal  to  promote  the  glory  of 

*  This  passage  appears  to  have  been  quoted  from  a  published  tract. 


LETTEB  ON  CUKISTMAS-DAY. 


239 


God.  How  sad  it  is  that  at  the  close  of  a  year,  or  at  the 
close  of  a  single  day,  we  should  find  that  our  resolutions 
have  been  so  seldom  fulfilled,  and  our  progress  heaven- 
ward so  slow  I  I  often  think  of  these  lines  in  Keble's 
'  Morning  Hymn' — 

'  Lord,  teach  us  this,  and  every  day  < 

To  live  more  nearly  as  we  pray.' 
How  much  I  long  to  see  you  again  in  the  flesh;  but  the 
prospect  of  doing  so  seems  very  remote.  Perhaps  we  may 
not  be  permitted  to  meet  until  we  reach  the  heavenly  city, 
and  tread  the  streets  of  gold  together.  But  how  glorious 
will  that  meeting  be,  when  we  shall  have  done  with  sin, 
and  when  these  vile  and  perishable  bodies  shall  have  been 
I  made  like  unto  Christ's  glorious  body.  Oh !  to  be  enabled 
to  say  with  Paul,  *  I  have  a  desire  to  depart  and  be  with 
Christ.'  If  this  desire  is  faint  and  difficult  to  tra,,ce,  alas, 
I  often  feel  it  must  be  because  communion  with  Him  on 
earth  is  so  little  cultivated.     The  soul  that  lives  nearest  to 

Him  will  long  most  to  be  with  Him  where  He  is 

"  What  a  state  France  is  in  I  Who  can  tell  what  may 
come  of  all  that  has  happened?  It  is  our  comfort  and 
our  happiness  to  know  that  '  the  Lord  reigneth.'  Every 
Christian  ought  to  be  upon  his  watch-tower,  that  so  he 
may  be  prepared  to  meet  any  storm  that  may  arise.  What 
a  memorable  night  was  that,  when  the  first  coming  of 
Jesus  was  announced  to  the  shepherds  keeping  watch  over 
their  flocks.  It  may  be  that  the  cry,  *  Behold,  the  bride- 
groom cometh,'  will  be  also  raised  at  midnight — may  we 
be  found,  like  the  shepherds,  watching  likewise. — ^With 
much  love,  believe  me,  most  affectionately  yours  in  the 
Lord,  M.  M.  H" 


240 


CONSCIENTIOUSNESS. 


"  My  very  dear  Friend, — '  Grace  to  you,  and  peace 
from  God  our  Father,  and  from  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.' 
I  cannot  let  the  old  year  pass  away,  and  the  new  year 
arrive,  without  sending  you  a  word  or  two  of  greeting. 
"We  thought  of  you  on  Christmas-day,  and  felt  peculiar 
pleasure  in  calling  to  remembrance  the  happy  evening  we 
spent  together  a  year  ago,  when  we  sang  together,  '  Glory 
to  the  new-bom  king.'  How  hallowed  is  the  recollection 
of  such  intercourse,  and  how  different  from  that  of  the 
world.  If  the  soul  is  indeed  alive  and  near  to  God,  how 
bright  and  pleasant  are  even  earthly  scenes,  when  sancti- 
fied by  the  Word  of  God  and  prayer.  The  passing  away 
of  the  old  year  seems  a  peculiarly  solemn  season ;  remind- 
ing us  of  broken  vows,  lost  opportunities,  and  neglected 
privileges.  Oh !  what  could  we  do  if  the  Lord  were 
extreme  to  mark  iniquities.  But  blessed  be  His  name ! 
He  is  a  God  who  delighteth  in  mercy,  and  it  is  our  un- 
speakable comfort  to  know  that  the  fountain  for  sin  and 
uncleanness  is  ever  open,  ever  full,  ever  fresh.  God  grant 
that  the  coming  year  may  find  us  growing  in  grace,  culti- 
vating holiness  of  heart  and  life,  and  constantly  striving 
to  attain  to  that  spirituality  of  mind  which  is  life  and 
peace.  I  feel  that  the  spring  and  secret  of  growth  lies  in 
communion  with  God  in  prayer,  and  we  shall  be  found 
advancing  or  declining  just  as  we  are  diligent  or  remiss  in 
this  holy  exercise.  I  feel  how  sadly  I  come  short  in  tb*.s 
respect  myself,  and  I  know  that  this  is  the  cause  why  my 
soul  so  often  cleaves  to  the  dust.  Let  us  pray  one  for 
another,  that  we  may  stand  perfect  and  complete,  lacking 
nothing. — With  our  united  Christian  love,  believe-  me 
ever  your  affectionate  friend,  M.  M.  H." 


EFFECTUAL  WORKING  OF  A  TKACT. 


241 


ind  peace 
IS  Christ* 
new  year 
greeting. 
b  peculiar 
(rening  we 
er,  'Glory 
^collection 
lat  of  the 
God,  how 
len  sancti- 
sing  away 
I ;  remind- 
,  neglected 
Lord  were 
ais  name ! 
is  our  uu- 
or  sin  and 
God  grant 
race,  culti- 
y  striving 
s  life  and 
wth  lies  in 
be  found 
r  remiss  in 
lort  in  tb*.s 
se  why  my 
ay  one  for 
ite,  lacking 
)elievev  me 
M.  H." 


Perhaps  in  connexion  with  the  subject  of  special  seasons, 
whether  of  Christian  joy  or  humiliation,  it  may  not  be 
out  of  place  to  mention  one  circumstance  relating  to  Cap- 
tain Hammond's  private  practice  and  habits.  Very  jealous 
as  he  was  of  anything  approaching  to  substitution  of  out- 
ward ordinances  for  spiritual  religion  and  the  vital  energy 
of  the  heart,  yet  he  did  no^.  undervalue,  nay,  highly 
esteemed,  every  ordinance  rightly  regarded.  And  in  this 
light  he  occcasionally  used  fasting  as  a  means  of  grace, 
with  prayer.  He  thought  it  beneficial  to  the  Christian  on 
particular  'occasions,  wher.  he  desired  especially  to  call  his 
sins  to  remembrance,  and  to  humble  himself  before  God. 

The  next  lette  ■,  to  *i  friend  who  had  been  ordered  away, 
is  remarkable  as  a:i  instar  3  of  die  direct  and  effectual 
working  of  a  tract : — 

"Chatham,  March  22,  1852. 

"  My  DEAR  Friend, —  .  .  .  Youhavcl..  many  friends 
behind  who  lament  you.  But  this  must  be  the  way  of 
our  pilgrim  life.  Our  tent  is  pitched  for  a  little  time,  and 
then  we  remove  h  again  to  some  other  place.  Sweet  is 
the  assurance  of  our  covenant  God.  '  My  presence  shall 
go  with  thee,  and  I  will  give  thee  rest'  (Ex.  xxxiii.  14). 
May  our  rest  ever  be  found  in  abiding  in  Jesus:  looking 
unto  H'^  we  may  be  assured  that  He  will  be  to  us  as  a 
cloudy  piHai'  by  day  and  of  fire  by  night,  to  guide  and 
protect  us  by  His  providence,  until  at  length  He  conducts 
us  t<}  the  perfect  rest  above.  .  .  • 

"  Tiie  reading  of  Ryle's  Tract  on  the  Cross  made  a  deep 
impression  upon  «  «  «.  The  Thursday  following  I  re- 
ceived a  note  from  him  asking  for  another  tract.     *I  have 

Q 


242 


CONSCIENTIOUSNESS. 


¥i 


to  thank  you  much/  he  says,  *  for  having  put  it  in  my 
way.  Your  reading,  I  firmly  believe,  kindled  a  new  light 
"in  me;  and  has,  through  Gk)d,  I  ferventfy  trust,  isaved  me 
from  falling  into  an  error  of  which  I  tras,  until  then,  really 
unconiscious,  I  mean  the  sin  of  Unitarianism :  for  I  cannot 
now  conceal  from  myself  the  painful  fact,  that  hitherto  I  have 
been  more  a  nominal  than  a  real  Christian,  praying  to  God 
Almighty,  but  not  leaning  for  support  on  Christ.'    I  know 

you  will  feel  deeply  interested  in  such  glad  tidings 

I  purpose  asking  him  to  join  our  Thursday  evening  parties. 
.  .  .  May  the  Lord  the  Spirit  abundantly  bless  you,  and 
make  you  faithful  in  every  good  word  and  work! — Yours 
ever  in  the  best  of  bonds,  M.  M.  H." 

From  Portsmouth  Captain  Hammond  replies  to  a  friend, 
who  had  requested  him  to  become  sponsor  to  his  child : — 


:  i 


"  My  deab  Friend, — Let  me  say  how  much  I  felt  your 
afiPection  in  wishing  me  to  be  one  of  the  sponsors  to  your 
little  son,  and  with  what  true  pleasure  it  gives  me  to  be 
able  to  accept  this  responsible  trust.  ...  I  feel  deeply 
humbled  under  the  consciousness  of  my  utter  unworthiness. 
Indeed  you  little  know  the  vileness  and  depravity  of  my 
heart,  and  how  hard  it  is  to  keep  the  flame  of  spiritual  life 
alive  in  my  soul.  But  it  is  our  unspeakable  comfort  to 
know,  that  while  we  dare  not  presume  to  come  before  the 
Lord  trusting  in  our  own  righteousness,  we  have  an  advo- 
cate with  the  Father,  Jesus  Clirist  the  righteous;  whose 
blood  can  cleanse  the  iniquity  of  our  holy  things,  and  who  is 
ever  at  the  right  hand  of  God  to  present  our  vile  sacrifices, 
through  the  sweet  incense  of  his  own  righteousness  and 


TUP  OFflOE  OF  A  SPONSOR. 


^43 


it  in  my 
new  light 
iMived  me 
len,  really 
:  I  cannot 
(rto  I  have 
ng  to  God  -I 
I  know 

QgS 

ig  parties. 
I  you,  and 
k! — ^Yours 
M.  H." 

bo  a  friend, 
is  child : — 

I  felt  your 
)rs  to  your 
me  to  be 
'eel  deeply 
orthiness. 
ity  of  my 
liritual  life 
:omf  ort  to 
before  the 
te  an  advo- 
»us;  whose 
land  who  is 
sacrifices, 
[sness  and 


inteioessioii.  This  Uessed  assurance  emboldens  me  to 
undertake  tiie  office;  and  I  pray  God  that  I  may  have 
gTi^oe  in  fulfilling  it,  and  that  I  may  be  preserved  from 
sinning  against  the  Lord  in  ceasing  to  pmy  for  him.  May 
He  indeed  number  your  little  one  among  His  jewels,  and 
give  him  a  name  and  a  place  better  than  of  sons  and  of 
daughters,  by  writing  upon  him  his  new  name,  and  sealing 
him  as  His  own  from  his  earliest  days." 

In  the  Bame  letter,  alluding  to  some  afflictive  dispensa- 
tion that  had  befallen  some  friends  at  Toronto,  he  says:--^ 

**  How  deeply  afflicted  that  family  have  been  I  Wave 
after  wave  has  fallen  upon  them,  and  were  it  not  that  we 
know  that  the  Judge  of  all  the  earth  cannot  err,  we  might 
be  tempted  to  tliink  that  He  dealt  too  severely.  We 
must  wait  until  we  land  upon  the  shore  where  tears  shall 
be  wiped  away  from  all  faces,  and  where  we  shall  know 
even  as  we  are  known,  before  we  can  underi^and  the 
mysteries  of  all  His  providential  dealings."' 

The  next  letter  is  to  his  youngest  brother,  who  had 
now  entered  the  ministry : — 

"  Canterbuey,  June  8,  1853. 

"  My  dear  H  «  •  ♦, — .  ....  By  this  time  you  will 
be  getting  accustomed  to  the  new  duties  and  new  mode 
of  life  in  which  you  have  entered;  for,  although  you  have 
been  preparing  for  this  work  for  months,  and  even  for 
years  past,  and  have,  to  some  extent,  been  engaged  in  the 
kind  of  work  which  now  occupies  you,  yet  it  is  a  d^erent 


244 


CONSCIENTIOUSNESS. 


1\ 

thing  really  to  enter  upon  the  work  of  a  minister  oiF 
Christ — ^the  most  blessed  and  the  most  arduous  whicli 
can  engage  a  man.  And  who  is  sufficient  for  these 
things  ?  You,  indeed,  are  not.  But,  blessed  be  God,  your 
sufficiency  is  of  God;  and  His  grace  shall  be  sufficient 
to  you  in  every  time  of  need.  We  thought  of  and  prayed 
for  you  on  Sunday,  as  you  were,  for  the  first  time,  pub- 
licly lifting  up  your  voice  as  an  ambassador  of  Christ,  and 
witnessing  for  Him  to  perishing  sinners.  I  long  to  hear 
how  you  got  through;  though  I  doubt  not  the  Lord  stood 
by  and  strengthened  you.  It  must  be  indeed  difficult, 
perhaps  impossible,  to  human  nature,  on  such  occasions, 
so  far  to  forget  self  as  to  desire  only  the  glory  of  God, 
and  that  His  word  might  be  blessed  in  the  souls  of  the 
hearers — we  are  so  much  more  prone  to  seek  to  please 
men,  than  God  who  trieth  the  hearts.  May  the  Lord 
Almighty,  by  His  Spirit,  keep  you  humble  and  prayerful ; 
enabling  you  at  all  times  to  remember  that  you  are  but 
the  earthen  vessel,  the  instrument ;  that  you  can  neither 
supply  yourself  with  oil,  nor  communicate  effectually  to 
others,  without  the  vital  energy  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  How 
different  are  our  callings  in  life  I  I  am  sure  we  are  both 
rightly  placed,  and  that  we  may  both  live  and  die  to  His 
glory,  if  only  we  possess  a  single  eye  and  an  undivided 
heart.  ....  May  you  be  endued  with  the  manifold  gifts 
and  graces  of  the  Spirit,  and  be  made  wise  to  win  souls 
to  Christ !  We  expect  to  move  into  camp  on  Tuesday. — 
Ever,  &c.,  M.  M.  H." 


In  the  autumn  of  1852,  the  whole  battalion  returned 
from  Canada,  and  Maxy  Hammond  was  ordered  from  the 


KBTURN  OF  THB  BATTALION  FBOM  CANADA.        245 

dep6t  at  Chatham  to  join  the  head-Kj^uarters  at  Canter- 
bury. His  delight  at  re-joining  his  own  company  was 
fully  reciprocated  by  his  men,  who  greeted  him  with  re- 
peated and  prolonged  cheers  in  a  manner  most  impres- 
sive, and  strongly  exhibiting  the  estimation  in  which  they 
held  him.  Those  who  were  about  him  at  this  time  were 
specially  struck  by  the  depth  of  his  interest  in  the  good 
behaviour  and  welfare  of  his  company.  On  one  occasion, 
when  a  non-commissioned  officer  of  high  responsibility 
had  been  guilty  of  grave  misconduct,  Maxy  Hammond's 
disti-ess  was  extreme.  One  who  knew  him  best  described 
his  grief  at  that  occurrence  as  acute,  and  that  he  seemed 
to  feel  it  as  keenly  as  if  a  family  affliction  had  befallen 
him.  At  this  time  the  colonel  of  the  regiment  gave  him 
the  entire  charge  of  both  the  week-day  and  Sunday  schools. 
He  had  also  charge  of  the  band,  and  took  great  pains 
with  the  buglers,  always  speaking  of  them  as  "  his  boys." 
He  induced  them  to  attend  the  Sunday  school,  by  getting 
up  for  them  a  class  in  a  separate  room,  that  their  dignity 
might  not  be  offended  by  being  classed  with  the  rest. 

While  he  was  at  Canterbury,  in  the  spring  of  1853,  he 
employed  himself  in  getting  up  lectures  for  the  men  on 
general  subjects;  and  ho  wrote,  and  prepared  maps  for 
this  purpose,  "en  the  Opening  of  the  Peninsular  Cam- 
paigns of  1812,  including  the  Battle  of  Salamanca.''  To 
the  preparation  of  this  lecture  he  gave  infiniti  pains,  yet 
he  never  delivered  it,  being  prevented  by  a  temporary 
indisposition.    The  lecture  concludes  thus: — 


"  Surely  we  cannot  fail  to  have  been  struck  with  the 
daring  intrepidity,  the  cool  bravery,  and  the  patient  en- 


2M 


CONSCIENTIOUSNESS. 


durance  of  the  British  soldier  in  the  history  of  these 
campai^s.  In  the  surprise  of  Almaraz,  we  have  seen 
what  resoiuuoii  aud  valour  can  effect  in  the  face  of  almost 
Hisuperable  difSculties;  and,  in  the  operations  around 
Salamancft)  we  have  seen  that  the  skill  and  prudence  of  the 
gen^^,  and  the  quickness  aad  the  steadiness  of  his 
troops,  completely  ba£3ed  the  designs  of  one  of  Napoleon's 
commanders.  Surely,  as  soldiers,  we  may  learn  many 
lessons  from  our  galltuit  comrades  who  fought  England's 
battles  in  years  gone  by.  That  generation  has  passed 
away,  but  they  have  left  behind  them  the  records  of  their 
gallantry  in  many  a  hard-fought  field.  If  our  turn  should 
come  (and  who  shall  say  that  it  wilt  not  come  ?)  to  fight 
for  our  Queen  and  country,  let  it  be  our  fixed  determina- 
tion to  equal  the  Peninsular  veterans  in  steadiness  and 
bravery  before  the  enemy;  and  let  us  hope  and  pray  that 
the  British  army  may  be  as  distinguished  for  its  steadi- 
ness of  conduct  and  its  high  tone  of  morality,  as  it  ever 
has  been  for  its  gallantry  in  the  field/' 


•*  T^  do  all  to  the  glory  of  God,"  was  the  principle  that 
pervaded  Maxy  Hammond's  life,  and  influenced  all  his 
habits.  BJence  many^  occupations,  to  which  he  was  by 
nature  rather  disinclined  than  otherwise,  were  at  once 
seen  in  a  new  light,  and  adopted  with  the  pleasure  which 
accompanies  the  performance  of  a  duty.  He  was  not 
naturally  studious,  nor  even  fond  of  any  kind  of  reading: 
yet,  obejring  the  precept,  "  Whatsoever  thy  hand  findeth 
to  do,  do  it  with  all  thy  might,"  he  studied  with  much 
attention  books  of  a  professional  character.     So,  from  the 


INTEREST  IN  HIS  PBOffiSSION. 


m 


same  feding,  he  kept  up  and  increased  the  elementaiy 
knowledge  of  military  surveying  which  he  had  acquired 
at  Sandhurst;  and,  while  he  was  quartered  at  Canterbury, 
he  made  a  careful  military  survey  of  the  adjaceut  district. 
He  had  a  very  decided  taste,  however,  for  the  practical 
part  of  his  profession,  both  in  the  details  of  its  internal 
economy,  and  in  the  work  of  the  regiment  in  the  field. 
When  the  Rifles  were  at  Canterbury,  a  sham  fight  was 
projected,  and  came  off  in  a  neighbouring  park.  The 
Rifle  Battalion  was  formed  into  two  divisionsr— one,  of 
course,  representing  the  enemy — ^with  three  squadrons  of 
the  Carbiniers,  and  a  troop  of  horse  artillery  acting  in 
combination  and  support  The  ground  was  well  adapted 
for  one  of  those  mimic  actions  with  which  we  have  be- 
come familiar,  both  at  Chobham  and  at  Aldershott;  and 
the  writer  well  remembers  the  thorough  spirit  of  enjoy- 
ment with  which  Captain  Hammond  entered  into  the 
arrangement  of  the  programme,  and  its  subsequent  exe- 
cution. 

During  the  summer  of  1853,  his  eldest  cliild  was  bom 
— an  event  of  no  little  happiness  and  cause  for  thankful- 
ness to  him. 


"  Our  precious  child,"  he  says,  in  a  letter  to  a  friend, 
"  was  baptized  yesterday  (Sunday) ;  the  service  was  im- 
pressively performed  by  my  brother  E  «  «  »;  and  we 
may  hope  and  believe  that  the  blessing  of  the  Most  High 
accompanied  the  outward  sign.  She  i°  named  'Nina 
Charlotte.' 

"By  the  bye,"  he  adds,  when  writing  to  a  friend  in 


348 


OONSCIENTIOUSNESS. 


Canada,  "  I  don't  think  I  have  written  to  you  since  the 
birth  of  our  little  one.  She  is  now  more  than  four 
mon^s  old,  and  is  a  dear  little  thing,  a  precious  gift  from 
the  Lord,  lent  to  us  by  Him,  to  be  trained  up  for  Him, 
and,  we  trust,  to  be  His  to  all  eternity." 

The  remaining  months  of  1853  were  passed  quietly 
enough  in  camp  at  Chobham ;  and,  at  the  close  of  the 
autumn,  the  2d  battalion  of  the  Bifles  was  ordered  to 
Portsmouth. 

It  was  in  the  beginning  of  the  year  1853  that  a  little 
cloud  arose  in  the  East,  by  many  scarcely  heeded,  as  soon 
to  pass  away,  but  whose  dark  folds,  drifting  heavily  over 
the  Euxine,  burst  forth  at  last  in  a  peal  of  thunder  upon 
the  Danube.  Before  May,  the  Cossacks  of  the  Don  and 
the  Oural  were  in  movement.  Gortschakoff  crossed  the 
Pruth,  and  occupied  Wallachia  with  a  powerful  army,  and 
Europe  was  roused  from  her  long  slumber  of  peace  by  the 
cannon  of  Oltenitza.  In  England,  our  troops  were  startled 
in  the  mia  c  of  sham-fights  and  field-days  upon  the  Chob- 
ham heather,  by  the  prospect  of  actual  warfare.  To  us, 
who  calmly  and  sadly  review  the  speculative  excitements 
of  that  period,  how  charged  with  mournful  thoughts,  yet 
how  full  of  sweet  comfort,  are  the  closing  sentences  of  this 
letter  of  December! 


"  The  opening  of  the  new  year  is  very  dark  and  threat- 
ening. I  should  tremble,  in  looking  forward,  were  it  not 
that  I  know  that  the  Lord  reigneth.  Humanly  speaking, 
there  is  now  little  probability  of  escaping  a  terrible  wah 


PBOSPECT  OF  WAR. 


249 


If  SO,  I  may  never  see  the  close  of  1864 !  But  what  a 
peace-giving  consideration  is  it,  that  all  events  shall  issue 
in  the  furtherance  of  God's  purposes  for  His  own  glory, 
and  the  glory  of  His  Church  !  And  I  humbly  hope  that, 
come  life  or  come  death,  I  may  lay  claim  to  the  promises 
of  my  covenant-God,  and  may  be  assured  that  nothing 
will  separate  me  from  His  love  in  Christ  Jesus." 


2oa 


THE  BULOABIAK  OAMPAION. 


'  \ 


CHAPTER  XVIl 

C|e  Bulgarian  Campp. 

"  And  there  was  mustering  in  hot  haste ;  the  steed, 

The  glittering  squadron,  and  the  dattering  oar. 

Went  pouring  forward  with  impetuous  speed. 

And  swiftly  forming  in  the  ranks  of  war ; 

And  the  deep  thunder  peal  on  i>eal  afar. 

And  near  the  beat  of  the  alarming  drum. 

Roused  up  the  soldier  ere  the  morning  star ; 

While  throng'd  the  citizens  with  terror  dumb, 
Or  whispered  with  white  lips, '  The  foe — they  come !  they  come.*** 

In  the  spring  of  1854  all  hope  that  a  war  might  be 
avoided  was  at  an  end;  and  early  in  February  several 
regiments  received  orders  to  hold  themselves  in  readiness 
for  embarkation  for  foreign  service.  Among  the  first 
which  received  orders  was  the  2d  battalion  of  the  Rifle 
Brigada  On  the  16th  of  February  1854,  Captain  Ham- 
mond writes  to  his  mother  from  Portsmouth  : — 


"February  16,  1854. 

"My  dearest  Mother, — I  had  scarcely  reached  the 
barracks  before  a  message  arrived  from  the  captain  of  the 
Vulcan  steamer,  to  say  that  he  had  just  received  orders  to 
embark  the  Rifle  Brigade,  and  to  sail  for  Malta  on  the  24th, 


UfiDlRS  FOB  £MBARKATION. 


2al 


so  we  shall  be  off  sooner  than  we  expected.  It  seems 
extremely  doubtful  whether  the  troops  will  disembark  at 
Malta  at  alL  The  general  impression  seems  to  be  that 
they  will  only  rendezvous  there,  and  proceed  together  at 
once  to  Turkey.  .... 

"  We  are  not  allowed  to  take  any  boxes  with  us,  and 
our  baggage  is  not  to  be  more  than  can  be  carried  on  the 
back  of  a  mule,  i.e.,  a  couple  of  trunks.     I  think  of  get- 
ting, for  this  purpose,  a  pair  of  bullock-trunks,  such  as  they 
use  in  India^      I  have  got  everything  necessary.  .... 
I  got  a  telescope  at  Harris's ;  an  excellent  field-glass.     I 
shall  wish,  when  I  use  it,  that  it  could  give  me  a  long  dght 
of  your  much  loved  faces  and  of  the  dear  old  home  which 
I  have  left  behind  me.     But  I  see  you  all  with  the  eye  of 
the  mind;  and  I  delight  to  think  that  our  spirits  will  often 
be  together,  when  we  bend  before  the  throne  of  grace,  and 
pour  out  our  prayers  for  each  other's  welfare.     God  grant 
that  these  separations  in  time  may  lead  us  to  long  and 
look  for  that  better  inheritance  which  is  above.     Pray  for 
me,  dearest  mother,  and  all  of  you,  that  my  faith  may  not 
fail;  that  whatever  scenes  may  be  before  me,  I  may  so  live 
in  the  love  and  fear  of  God,  that  I  may  ever  glorify  His 
holy  name,  and  may  bear  witness  for  Him  before  my 
fellow-men. — With  fondest  love  to  all,  ever  your  most 
affectionate, 

"M.  M.  H." 


Essentially  a  soldier,  an  ardent  and  intelligent  lover  of 
his  profession.  Captain  Hammond  would  have  hailed  with 
ail  interest,  second  to  none,  the  prospects  of  an  actual 
campaign,  had  no  other  stake  than  his  own  been  risked 


"TSKJSS 


ii.mmwiii..mi^»T^'w»"' 


n^gr: 


252 


THB  BULUARIAK  CAMPAIGN. 


by  the  claims  of  war.  Bu^  there  were  thoughts  at  such  a 
time,  that  repressed  the  throb  of  pride,  which  may  law- 
fully rise  in  a  soldier's  breast  when  ordered  to  take  the 
field.  The  desolate  wife,  the  sweet  unconscious  child,  the 
broken-up  home;  these  might  well  bring  sadness  to  his 
heart.  Yet,  in  such  trials — for  who  can  doubt  how  sore 
such  trials  were  to  such  a  nature? — he  knew  where  to  look 
for  support — "  Thou  shalt  keep  him  in  perfect  peace  whose 
mind  is  stayed  upon  thee,  because  he  trusteth  in  thee." 
To  this  approaching  separation  he  alludes  often. 

To  his  father,  he  says:— • 

"  The  trial  is  a  bitter  one,  but  we  are  silenced,  in  remem- 
bering that  it  is  the  will  of  that  tender  and  loving  Saviour, 
who  has  said  that '  the  very  hairs  of  our  head  are  all  num- 
bered.'" 

And  to  another  friend,  he  writes: — 

"13  Portland  Terrace,  Southsea, 
February  20,  1854. 

"  It  is  indeed  quite  true  that  we  are  to  sail  in  a  few 
days  to  the  East.  ....  How  true  it  is  that  we  know  not 
what  a  day  may  bring  forth.  I  feel  your  sympathy.  It 
is  indeed  a  heavy  trial,  to  have  to  separate  for  an  indefinite 
time  from  wife  and  child,  it  may  be  never  to  return.  But, 
blessed  be  God,  we  know  that  *  if  the  earthly  house  of  this 
tabernacle  be  dissolved,  we  have  a  building  of  God,  an 
house  not  made  with  hands,  eternal  in  the  heavens.'  Oh  ! 
how  infinite  is  that  grace  and  mercy,  which  plucked  you 
and  me  as  brands  from  the  burning,  and  which  has  given 


■ » 


THB  PATH  OF  DUTY  ONE  OF  SAFETY. 


258 


. 


us  a  good  hope  through  Him  who  died  for  sinners,  even 
the  chief.  In  this  hope  and  confidence  I  go  forth,  leaving 
all  in  His  hands,  praying  only  that  I  may  glorify  Him  in 
my  body  and  my  spirit,  which  are  His,  under  all  circum- 
stances and  in  all  positions. 

"Farewell,  my  very  dear  and  faithful  friend. — ^With 
Christian  love  to  your  dear  wife  from  us  both,  your  affec- 
tionate in  the  Lord  Jesus,  M.  M.  H.*' 

To  his  mother,  he  says : — 

"  Oh  how  precious  are  the  consolations  and  hopes  of  the 
gospel,  at  such  a  time  as  the  present  when  the  heart- 
strings of  natural  affection  are  so  violently  wrenched,  and 
the  future  looks  dark  and  boding !  I  trust  we  can  all  say, 
*  It  is  well.'  I  feel  that  it  is  so,  dearest  mother ;  for  I 
know  that  the  path  of  duty  is  one  of  safety.  I  go  away 
in  the  hope  of  a  safe  return,  if  the  Lord  will ;  but  let  us 
all  long  and  look  for  that  union  above  where  we  shall  see 
Christ  as  He  is,  and  be  made  like  unto  Him.  God  has 
been  very  gracious  to  me.  I  never  enjoyed  more  perfect 
peace  or  rest  of  mind  than  at  this  present  time.  To  Him 
only  be  the  praise." 

On  the  27th  of  February,  the  2d  battalion  of  the  Bifle 
'iiirigade  embarked  at  Portsmouth,  and  on  the  2d  of  March 
he  writes  to  his  wife : — 

"Off  Lisbon. — Thus  far  has  the  Lord  graciously  brought 

us We  left  the  dockyard  very  shortly  after  I  got 

down  to  the  vessel,  and  steamed  out  to  Spithead,  taking 
with  us  «  «  «  and  *  *  *  who  were  unable  to  get  from 
the  vessel  to  the  wharf,  before  they  discovered  that  the 


254 


TU£  UULUAKIAN  CAMPAIGN. 


ship  was  undeir  wi  ^k  At  Spithead,  we  waited  till  the 
powder  was  on  be  \  ua^I  tLea  up  anchor  and  away, 
taking  the  Needles  passage  In  sea.  I  felt  thankful  that 
you  were  wt  there ;  and  I  found  comfort  in  commending 
you  and  our  sweet  little  Nina  to  our  one  Gk)d  and  Father. 
Oh  !  may  this  trial  lead  us  both  nearer  to  Himself,  and 
teach  us  to  seek  our  happiness,  not  so  much  in  the  creature 
as  I  feel  that  I  have  done— but  in  Him  who  is  our  Be- 
deemer,  God  over  all,  blessed  for  evermore.  I  know  I 
shall  hear  that  you  have  been  sustained  and  comforted, 
This  makes  me  happy  in  thinking  of  you ;  and  in  knowing 
that  to  us  both  this  shall  tu^n  to  our  salvation,  through 
our  prayers,  and  the  sufficiency  of  the  Spirit  of  Christ 

"  My  miseries  commenced  soon  after  we  left  the  Needles; 
and  the  roll  of  the  Atlantic  began  to  oe  felt,  and  increased 
as  we  crossed  the  Bay  of  Biscay,  but  the  wind  was  fair,  and 
we  soon  reached  the  coast  of  ^Portugal  We  expect  to 
pass  Gibraltar  on  Saturday,  and  if  all  goes  well,  to  reach 
Malta  abouti  the  end  of  n^xt  week.  I  never  before  felt  so 
well  at  sea. 

"Monday  the  Qth,  off  the  coast  of  Barhary. — Here  we 
are  in  the  Mediterranean,  and  in  sight  of  the  bold  outline 
of  mountains  which  run  along  the  coast  of  Africa.  The 
wind  changed  before  we  reached  Gibraltar,  and  so  retarded 
us,  that  instead  of  reaching  '  the  Gut '  early  on  Saturday, 
we  did  not  come  abreast  of  the  Rock  till  midnight.  When 
it  came,  we  saw  no  more  than  the  dark  outlina  We  had, 
however,  a  fine  view  of  the  beautiful  coast  before  entering 
the  strait,  including  Cadiz,  and  the  Bay  and  Cape  of  Tra- 
falgar, and  passed  over  the  spot  where  the  action  was 
fought     Here  we   hailed  a  Spanish  fishing-boat.     The 


1    P' 


was 

The 


TUE  Hl'ANiaH  COAST. 


255 


1^ 


picturesque  crew,  who  were  hauling  up  small  fish  as  fiasfc  as 
they  could  throw  in  their  lines,  were  so  intent  on  their  own 
business,  that  they  seemed  hardly  to  notice  the  monstrous 
ship,  with  its  armed  freight,  which  almost  ran  them  down. 

"  Yesterday  we  skirted  the  coast  of  Spain  with  the  wind 
in  our  teeth,  and  had  a  gloriou"  view  of  the  snow-clad 
peaks  of  the  Sierra  Nevada  high  up  in  the  clouds.  .... 
The  wind  still  a-head ;  but  we  are  steaming  against  it. 
Yesterday  we  could  make  nothing  against  it ;  so  that  the 
captain  let  the  fires  out,  and  beat  up  against  it  under 
double  reefed  topsails.  I  enjoyed  seeing  them  take  in  the 
reefs,  and  work  the  ship ;  but  it  was  too  rough  to  be  com- 
fortable." 

"  Tuesday,  off  the  coast  of  Algiers. — We  have  had  a 
lovely  sail  to-day  in  close  view  of  this  lonely  and  desolate 
coast  The  mountains  rise  to  a  considerable  height  and 
seem  covered  with  a  low  brushwood.  Wo  saw  a  village 
this  rooming.  The  whole  country  looks  arid  and  un- 
productive, and  not  likely  to  contain  any  population. 
B  «  •  •  is  longing  to  be  on  shore  to  hunt  the  lions, 
which,  no  doubt,  are  to  be  found  in  those  barren  hills.  I 
must  say  I  feel  with  him  a  much  stronger  desire  to  shoot 
an  Algerian  lion  than  a  hundred  Russians." 

"  Thursday  evening,  off  Tunis. — ^Two  days  have  pap.^ed 
since  I  wrote  last.  It  will  not  make  you  sad,  I  hope,  to 
tell  you  that  you  are  never  away  from  my  thoughts. 
Each  day  I  feel  more  keenly  the  reality  of  our  separa- 
tion ;  but  let  not  one  murmur,  or  one  hard  thouglit  of  the 
tendeniess  of  our  heavenly  Father,  be  harboured  in  our 
hearts.  I<et  this  word  of  Jesus  suffice  us — *  The  cup  that 
iny  Father  jjives  me  to  drink,    shall  I  not  drink  itf 


' 


256 


THE  BULGARIAN  CAMPAIGN. 


When  my  heart  is  overwhelmed  within  me,  then  I  long  to 
look  to  the  'Rock  that  is  higher  than  L'  .  .  .  .  Just  after 
I  wrote  yesterday,  we  descried  huts,  and  people  ploughing 
with  oxen  some  miles  farther,  within  view  of  a  town 
(Tennery),  built  on  a  flat  rock,  about  100  feet  above 
the  sea.  The  houses  were  white;  and,  with  the  back- 
gi'ound  of  noble  hills,  some  thousands  of  feet  high,  and 
the  fine  bluflj  which  forms  the  headland  of  the  cape, 
the  scene  was  beautiful  We  hoisted  an  ensign  as  we 
approached,  and  were  answered  by  the  tricolor  of  the 

French As   the   siln  rose  yesterday,  we  came 

within  view  of  Algiers,  but  at  such  a  distance  that  we 
could  only  get  a  general  idea.  ....  In  the  afternoon 
we  sighted,  and  presently  passed  between,  the  Rock 
Islands  of  Galita,  which  rise  abiniptly  to  the  height  of 
1200  feet.  Fifteen  miles  to  the  south  of  this  spot,  the 
Avenger,  steam-frigate,  struck  a  sunken  rock,  in  a  dark 
night,  blowmg  a  gale,  and  all  hands  but  six  perished. 
This  was  in  1848.  We  expect  to  reach  Malta  on 
Satureiay  morning.  .... 

"  How  often  have  I  longed  to  have  you  at  my  side,  to 
enjoy  all  this  lovely  scenery  with  me,  and  to  trace  out, 
with  me,  the  glorious  works  of  our  Creator  and  Redeemer. 

"  Malta  Harbour,  Saturday  morning,  11th. — Here  we 
are  arrived  alongside  the  dockyard.  We  know  nothing 
yet  of  our  plans  until  Lord  Raglan  arrivea 

"  God  bless  and  keep  you." 


The  next  letter  was  written,  from  on  board  the  Ft*fca», 
to  an  old  brother  oflicer,  who  had  been  one  of  Captain 
Hammond's  most  intimate  companions,  when  they  were 


m 


I     II 


THE  TREMENDOUS  REALITY  OF  RELIGION. 


257 


both  young  subalterns  in  the  Rifles.  The  letter  is  intro- 
duced here,  as  illustrating  Maxy  Hammond's  faithfulness, 
both  to  his  Master  and  to  his  friend.  For  some  years 
past  their  intercourse  had  been  quite  broken  off.  The 
officer  in  question  had  retired  from  the  service.  But  when 
an  accidental  circumstance  led  to  a  correspondence,  Maxy 
Hammond  avails  himself  instantly  of  the  opportunity  of 
urging  upon  his  friend,  with  no  less  deli  acy  than  earnest- 
ness, the  acceptance  of  that  free  offer  which  had  brought 
such  settled  peace  to  his  own  soul.  Reverting,  to  the  war, 
and  to  their  present  expedition,  he  says : — 

"  I  must  say  I  have  no  desire  for  bloodshed,  and  should 
be  glad  enough  to  be  sent  back  again  in  peace  to  my  wife 
and  home.  But  these  things  are  in  higher  hands  than 
ours;  and  it  is  a  matter  of  unspeakable  comfort  to  feel 
that  we  have  a  Father  in  heaven,  under  whose  protection 
and  guidance  all  must  be  well.  You  and  I  have  expe- 
rienced great  mercies  at  the  hand  of  God.  It  is  a  solemn 
question  to  ask  ourselves.  What  effect  have  these  mercies 
produced  in  our  hearts?  Forgive  me  for  asking  you 
whether  you  have  found  pardon  and  peace  through  the 
cross  of  Christ.  If  you  have  not,  delay  no  longer  to  cast 
yourself  upon  Him  for  salvation,  and  remember  that  He  is 
able  to  save  to  the  uttermost  those  who  come  to  Him.  I 
would  entreat  you,  my  dear  friend,  to  remember  what  a 
tremendous  reality  religion  is — a  reality  upon  which  hangs 
our  destiny  for  eternity.  As  far  as  I  have  practised  it 
for  the  last  nine  or  ten  years,  I  have  experienced  its 
blessedness  under  all  the  changing  circumstances  of  life ; 
and  it  is  that  which  induces  me  now  to  press  the  sub- 

B 


258 


THE  BULGAJUAN  CAMPAIGN. 


I    '- 


jeqt  ou  you.  That  you,  too,  may  experience  the  peace 
and  happiness  of  Christ's  service,  is  the  earnest  prayer 
of  your  sincere  friend,  M.  M.  Hammond." 

To  his  wife: — 

"  Malta,  March  15. 

"I  must  write  you  a  few  words  of  love,  and  tell 
you  how  happy  I  was  made,  on  Monday  evening,  by 
the  receipt  of  your  precious  letter.  Tears  of  mingled 
joy  and  sorrow  coursed  freely  down  my  cheek.  I  could 
not  but  rejoice  and  bless  my  God  for  the  calm  and 
contented  spirit  in  which  you  write.  I  do  earnestly  pray 
for  you;  and  I  know  that  you  will  pray  for  me;  but 
whatever  may  befall  either  of  us,  may  we  be  enabled  to 
say,  heartily  and  imreservedly,  *  Thy  will  be  done.'  This 
spirit  will  glorify  Jesus.  My  dearest  wife,  pray  for  me, 
that  my  lamp  may  be  kept  trimmed ;  and,  amidst  all  ex- 
citements and  earthward  tendencies,  that  it  may  burn 
brightly,  receiving  new  supplies  of  grace  each  day  and 
hour.  ....  I  am  sure  that  you  are  right  in  asking  and 
expecting  that  the  Lord,  in  His  mercy,  will  bring  me  back 
again  to  you  in  peace,  provided  that  you  are  willing  that 
He  should  give  or  withhold  this  blessing  as  it  seems  good 
to  Him.  'Be  careful  for  nothing;  but,  in  everything 
with  prayer  and  supplication,  let  your  requests  be  made 
known  unto  God.'  How  I  long  to  see  again  that  darling 
little  Nina.  I  love  to  tiiink  of  her,  and  to  recall  her 
bright  face ;  and  I  often  thank  God  that  He  has  given  you 
this  precious  child  to  cheer  and  gladden  your  heart.  .  .  . 

"  The  presvailing  opinion  seems  to  be,  that  we  shall  not 
move  froKi  licre  until  the  cavalry  comes  up,  which  may 


MALTA. 


259 


he  peace 
t  prayer    * 

[OND." 


3^15. 

md  tell 
ing,    by 
mingled 
I  could 
Im   and 
tly  pray 
ae;  but 
ibled  to 
'    This 
for  me, 
r  all  ex- 
y  burn 
lay  and 
ng  and 
le  back 
ig  that 
IS  good 
•ything 
3  made 
iarling 
lU  her 
en  you 


ill  not 
h  may 


not  be  before  l^e  beginning  of  next  month,  and  then  we 
are  quite  ignorant  of  our  destination — ^whether  Constanti- 
nople, the  Bay  of  Enos,  or  Adrianople.  There  seems  to 
be  little  hope  of  a  pacific  arrangement  If  we  are  to 
be  plunged  into  war,  we  may  pray,  *  Bless  Thou  our 
sword '  in  going  forth  to  maintain  the  cause  of  right 
against  might.  And  surely  we  may  hope  that  the  Lord 
will  be  on  our  side  in  the  contest,  though  He  may 
justly  chasten  us  for  our  many  national  and  individual 
sins."  .... 

From  Malta,  March  16th,  to  his  father : — 

"My  deaeest  Father,--  .  .  .  We  reached  this  island 
early  on  the  11th.  Before  breakfast  we  all  turned  out  to 
have  a  look  at  our  destination.  The  scene,  to  me, 
was  most  curious  and  novel.  The  island,  generally  speak- 
ing, is  low ;  the  highest  part  being  at  the  opposite  side 
to  this  (Valetta).  The  ground,  however,  is  much  undu- 
lated, and  covered  with  stone  walls,  enclosing  fields  of 
luxuriant  growth,  wherever  there  is  any  earth  on  which 
vegetation  may  take  rout.  There  is  no  natural  soil  in  the 
ivholt  i  iiard ;  but  almost  every  spot  is  cultivated,  the  earth 
be'jj.f  cc>iiv( '  !  in  vessels  from  Sicily  and  elsewhere.  It 
is  siiid  that  the  knights  of  Malta  allowed  no  vessel  to 
^;ont»  into  the  harbour  without  paying  the  dues  in  soil 
As  we  approached,  we  passed  fleets  of  fishing  boats;  and 
very  picturesque  they  were,  with  their  high  bows  and 
sterns,  and  swarthy  occupants,  busily  engaged  in  putting 
out  their  net^,  or  throwing  in  their  lines.  Here,  too,  we 
saw  the  pretty  lutteen-rigged  boats;  some  of  them  running 


260 


THE  BULGARIAN  CAMPAIGN. 


i       ! 


before  the  scanty  breeze,  with  such  a  crowd  of  canvass, 
that  I  could  not  have  conceived  it  possible.  This  sketch, 
enclosed,  will  give  you  some  idea  of  the  shape  of  the  har- 
bour, and  situation  of  the  different  towns.  Here  are 
boats  innumerable,  to  convey  yoa  from  one  part  of  the  town 
to  another,  with  two  men  to  pull  you,  an  awning  to  cover  you 
from  rain,  and  a  lantern  at  night,  for  which  you  pay  2d.'* 

"Our  ship  went  straight  to  the  dock-yard;  and  the 
men  walked  on  shore  after  their  dinner,  and  took  up  their 
quarters  in  the  rope-walk,  a  piece  of  matting  and  a  straw 
mattress  with  a  blanket  being  provided  for  each  man. 
Our  quarters  are  in  a  battery  immediately  above  the  men. 
We  are  provided  with  nothing  but  the  bare  walls,  ceiling, 
and  stone  flocr.  As  we  waited  to  go  on  shore,  numbers 
of  boats  pulled  off  to  the  ship,  lad^n  with  provisions, 
oranges,  dates,  figs,  eggs,  cigars,  &c.  Among  the  rest 
was  a  diver,  who  was  glad  enough  to  plunge  in  for  a 
penny,  and  immediately  to  bring  it  up. 

"  We  have  established  ourselves  pretty  comfortably,  as 
we  divided  ourselves  in  small  messes  of  three  or  four, 
drawing  and  making  our  servants  cook  our  rations.  I 
am  in  mess  with  the  Colonel,  I  *  *  #,  and  R  «  «  «.  Our 
dinner  generally  consists  of  broil  and  stew,  sometimes 
varied  by  a  mutton-chop,  and  occasionally  fish.  1  assure 
you  we  eat  it  with  as  much  gusto  as  if  we  were  sitting 
down  to  an  array  of  French  side-dishes,  and  perhaps 
enjoy  it  really  much  more.  Those  who  are  more  parti- 
cular about  their  food,  and  don't  mind  paying  for  it,  go 
to  the  hotels ;  but  we  prefer  the  cheap-and-easy  system, 
and  it  is  more  in  keeping  with  our  present  mode  of  life; 
besides  that,   it  is  excellent  practice  for  our  servants. 


TOWN  AND  ISLAND  OP  MALTA. 


261 


before  they  may  have  to  cook  and  forage  for  us  in*  thq 
field.  .... 

"The  appearance  of  the  streets  is  truly  picturesque. 
There  are  the  various  costumes — Maltese,  Turkish,  Alba- 
nian, Egyptian,  Arabian,  and  Nubian;  swarms  of  priests 
and  Jesuits,  and  friars  of  orders  gray;  and  in  contrast 
with  all  these  are  the  Europeans  and  red-coated  English 
soldiers,  who  crowd  the  wine-shops  and  fill  the  streets. 

"  The  barley  is  now  in  ear,  and  the  beans  full-grown. 
The  people  feed  their  cattle  with  green  wheat  fodder,  and 
get  three  growths  in  the  year.  The  fig,  palm,  date,  and 
lotus  and  cactus,  seem  the  chief  trees  of  the  island.  The 
cactuses  look  very  singular:  whole  gardens  are  filled  with 
them.  They  grow  to  a  height  of  ten  or  twelve  feet,  and 
their  thick  fleshy  leaves  measure  six  or  eight  inches  in 
diameter.  The  fields  are  irrigated  by  small  aqueducts, 
the  water  being  brought  from  the  numerous  rain-tank>5 
which  abound  throughout  the  island.  The  wild-flowers 
are  very  pretty,  and  I  hope  to  preserve  some  for  M  *  «  «. 
The  mules  and  asses  are  very  fine.  They  tell  me  that  in 
Gozo  you  can  find  asses  sixteen  liands  high;  and  there 
are  some  very  fine  ones  in  Malta.  The  price  of  a  first- 
rate  mule  now  is  from  £25  to  <£'30. 

"  Popery  is,  as  you  know,  rampant  in  this  place.  The 
churches  are  very  numerous:  that  of  the  Old  Knights  of 
St  John  is  a  very  handsome  building.  From  morning  to 
night  the  bells  do  not  cease  to  ring;  and  wretched  bells 
they  are.  They  are  so  superstitious  as  to  ring  them  all 
if  a  thunder-storm  approaches,  to  keep  ofi^  the  lightning. 
In  all  the  gates  there  are  pictures  or  images  of  the  Virgin 
or  some  patron  saints.     The  other  day  I  saw  an  image  of 


i 


S62 


THE  BULGARIAN  CAMPAIGN. 


some  saint  with  a  gridiron  by  his  side*  and  With  a  notice 
underneath,  that  an  indulgence  of  forty  days  would  be 
given  to  any  person  who  would  repeat  an  ave  and  a  pater- 
noster before  him.  Oh,  that  the  people  of  Englaind  could 
see  and  know  what  Popery  is  in  its  full  develojanent  as 
here  !....!  must  say  farewell — With  best  love  to  you 
all,  your  affectionate  son,  M.  M.  H.'' 

To  his  wife : — 

**  March  25,  1864 

.  .  .  .  "  We  are  to  embark  on  board  the  Golden  Fleece 
on  Wedneoday,  so  as  to  be  ready  to  sail  when  Sir  G. 
Brown  pi  rives.  There  are  no  other  troops  going  at  pre- 
sent but  200  Sappers.  It  is  believed  that  our  destina- 
tion is  Gallipoli,  and  that  we  are  going  with  the  Sappers 

to  prepare  the  encampment  for  the  army It  is 

better  for  the  men  to  get  fairly  into  the  field,  where 
they  will  learn  to  accommodate  themselves  to  their  future 
style  of  life.  At  the  same  time,  it  is  better  to  have  been 
here,  both  for  officers  and  men,  to  enable  us  to  make 
more  perfect  arrangements  for  landing  on  a  foreign  shore, 
and  being  thrown  on  our  own  resources 

"  I  have  been  thinking  much  of  you  this  day,  and  have 
spent  some  time  in  earnest  prayer  for  you.  What  a  pri- 
vilege is  prayer  at  such  a  time !  We  had  a  delightful 
sermon  on  prayer  this  iiioming  from  M  •  Hare  (Eph. 
iii.  12) — '  In  whom  we  have  boldness  and  access  with  con- 
fidence by  the  faith  of  him.'  He  described  the  feelings 
t;f  Jacob  under  circumstances  very  similar  to  those  in 
which  we  are  placed,  when  he  lay  down  to  sleep  in  a 
foreign  country,  with   no^v  scenes,  now  trials,   and  iin- 


.^  :Mi^^ 


TRU8*  IN  THE  WILL  OF  GOD. 


263 


(Eph. 


* 


known  dangers  before  him;  when  he  had  the  vision  of 
the  ladder,  and  the  angels  ascending  and  descending. 
And  as  he  dwelt  upon  the  blessedness  of  being  permitted 
to  hold  intercourse  with  God,  under  every  circumstance 
in  which  we  can  possibly  be  placed  in  this  world,  I  felt 
almost  overcome  with  the  thought  of  the  tenderness  and 
loving-kindness  of  our  God  in  thus  permitting  us  to  <5a8t 
every  care  upon  Him.  Yes,  though  we  be  separated  by 
hundreds  of  miles,  yet  our  spirits  can  meet  at  the  same 
throne  of  grace,  and  we  can  enjoy  that  holy  fellowship  on 
earth  which  we  shall  enjoy  fully  for  ever  in  heaven.  I 
love  to  think  of  you  specially  in  the  quietness  of  the 
Sabbath-day.  My  heart  seems  with  you,  and  I  do  not 
try  to  restrain  those  tears  of  deep  love  which  freely  fall. 
But  I  am  not  sad,  for  I  feel  it  is  good  for  us  both  that 
this  trial  should  be  laid  upon  us.  How  often  have  we 
sung  together — 

*  Renew  iny  will  from  day  to  day, 
Blend  it  'with  Thine ;  and  take  away 
All  that  now  makes  it  hard  to  say, 
Thy  will  be  done!' 

And  now  ttiis  prayer  is  being  answered I  should 

like  to  send  you  the  calendar  of  Psalms  according  to  Bick- 
ersteth,  that  we  may  be  reading  the  samo,  and  feeding 

together  on  the  same  parts  of  the  bread  of  life 

"  Fancy  the  excitement  of  three  French  transports 
coming  into  this  harbour  en  route  for  Gallipoli  General 
Canrobert,  and  two  other  generals;  50  staff  horses,  and 
800  soldiers.  We  had  a  review  for  them  of  three  bat- 
talions Guards,  33d,  93d,  and  Rifle  Brigade."  > 


264 


THE  BULGABIAN  CAMPAIGN. 


To  his  wife: — 

"  On  Board  the  *  Golden  Fleece,* 
"  March  30. 

.  ..."  I  have  deep  need  of  increase  of  faith.  There 
is  so  much  to  distract  and  disturb  the  soul  in  this  bustling, 
exciting  life  that  it  needs  much  watchfulness  and  discipline 
to  keep  the  heart  fixed  on  eternal  things.  We  seem  like 
a  set  of  people  carried  down  a  current,  and  nobody  has 
time  to  be  quiet,  or  to  think  a  moment.  I  have  brought 
with  me  the  store  of  tracts  which  Miss  B  «  «  «  sent,  and 
we  are  keeping  them  in  reserve  against  the  time  when  the 
men  will  be  cut  oflF  from  the  usual  means  of  grace.  It 
has  been  a  great  blessing  that  the  word  of  life  has  been  so 
faithfully  preached  to  them  since  they  have  been  here. 
Who  can  tell  but  that  some  of  those  'appointed  unto 
death'  may  have  received  the  message  of  love  which  will 
give  them  peace  in  a  dying  hour.  ....  We  cannot  tell 
what  may  be  the  will  of  God ;  but  if  we  are  in  Christ,  come 
life,  come  death,  all  must  be  well.  I  am  sure,  dearest,  we 
are  warranted  in  praying  for  temporal  deliverance,  and 
that  we  may  be  permitted  to  meet  again  in  peace,  and  we 
may  cheer  each  other  by  this  hope,  in  the  Lord's  good 
time.  .... 

"  Sir  J.  Burgoyne  has  just  arrived  from  Turkey.  It  is 
said  that  the  ground  selected  for  the  camp  at  Gallipoli  is 
not  supplied  with  water,  aiid  that  we  shall  have  to  bore 
wells  when  we  get  there.  You  may  imagine  all  the  reports 
which  are  afloat  in  this  place.  I  never  pay  the  slightest 
attention  to  them,  and  generally  walk  away  whenever  they 
arc  discussed.** 


ARRIVAL  OF  FRENCH  TROOPS. 


26 


«l 


"  Malta,  March  28,  1864. 

**  My  dearest  Mother, —  ....  We  know  nothing  as 
yet,  except  that  we  are  to  go  to  Gallipoli,  probably  to 
occupy  ourselves  with  spade  and  pick-axe,  in  throwing  up 
works  which  it  is  said  are  to  be  made  across  that  narrow 
neck  of  land.  ....  How  precious,  at  such  a  time,  is  the 
belief  in  the  special  providence  of  God.  This  is  my  com- 
fort in  thinking  of  those  from  whom  I  am  separated,  and 
this,  I  l.now,  is  your  comfort  in  thinking  of  me.  'He 
doeth  all  things  well.'  We  hear  that  a  siege-train  of 
eighty  heavy  guns  is  preparing  at  Woolwich.  The  Sappers 
arrived  yesterday;  Captain  B  *  *  ♦  is  to  follow  with  pon- 
toons. All  this  looks  sadly  like  war.  But  the  French 
oflftcers  here  say  that  it  is  'une  affaire  finie.'  There  have 
been  five  or  six  transports  in  here.  We  had  a  grand  turn- 
out for  General  Canrobert,  who  was  particularly  pleased 
with  the  Rifle  battalion.  Many  of  the  officers  and  men  have 
been  on  shore,  and  have  been  fraternising  with  our  people. 

"  March  30. — Yesterday  we  attempted  to  embark,  but 
the  arrangements  were  so  blundered,  that  all,  except  one 
company,  had  to  march  back  again  to  their  barracks  for 
the  night.  They  attempted  to  put  all  the  stores  on  board 
— a  month's  provision  for  3000  men,  camp  equipage, 
ammunition,  engineering  tools,  &c.,  and  about  25  horses 
and  1200  men  at  the  same  time. 

"  General  Brown  arrived  yesterday." 

To  his  wife: — 

"  *  Golden  Fleece,'  .... 
"  At  Anchor  off  Cape  Servi,  April  3, 1854. 

''It   is   such   a  comfort  and  privilege  having  dear 


266 


i:i£  BULGARIAN  CAMPAIGN. 


G  «  «  «  on  board.  His  natural  character  suits  me,  and 
he  is  so  full  of  affection  and  sympathy.  I  had  a  delightful 
talk  with  him  last  evening,  before  going  to  bed,  and  I  felt 
how  blessed  is  that  bond  of  union  which  unites  us  in 
Christ  I  have  Veen  thinking  over  the  verse  in  1st  John, 
'  No  man  hath  seen  Qod  at  any  time.  He  that  dwelleth  in 
love  dwelleth  in  God,  and  God  in  him.'  Does  it  not  mean 
that  as  we  cannot  see  God  so  as  to  love  him,  He  has 
represented  Himself  in  His  people,  so  that,  in  loving  them, 
we  may  love  Himself.  .... 

"  I  had  an  iateresting  walk  with  young  A  «  «  «,  of 
the  Engineers,  on  deck  this  evening.  He  seems  very 
desirous  of  following  the  Lord  fully,  and  took,  in  very 
good  part,  a  word  of  advice  from  G  «  «  %  about  cards. 
»  »  »  is  well  disposed,  but  his  indolence,  poor  fellow, 
is  a  fearful  barrier  to  his  spiritual  growth 

"  Have  you  heard  anything  about  the  poor  women  from 
Mr  B  «  «  «  lately?  Poor  creatures!  I  fear  they  must 
be  in  a  wretched  state.  Let  us  help  them  as  much  as  we 
can,  and  let  us  give  to  some  of  the  societies,  if  the  funds 
will  admit 

"  Thursday  morning,  April  6,  8  A.BL,  GaUipoli. — 
Arrived  safe  last  night" 


-:T" 


TU£CAMP. 


2(>7 


CHAPTER  XVm. 

C^e  Camp. 

"  And  now  down  winding  to  tbc  i'liio. 
The  barriers  of  the  oamp  <  hey  gnln." 

SOOTT. 

The  transports  which  had  conveyed  the  first  division  of 
the  British  army  had  now  reached  their  destination,  and 
were  lying  at  their  moorings,  preparatory  to  disembarking 
their  troops  upon  Turkish  territory.  Never  before  had 
English  troops  formed  up  upon  those  shores.  The  first 
appearance,  therefore,  of  the  Kifles  and  Sappers  must  have 
roused,  to  some  degree  of  excitement,  the  almc  st  immovable 
and  phlegmatic  Turks.  The  formation  of  the  strong  line  3, 
which  were  to  serve  as  a  basis  of  f'lture  operations,  had 
already  been  determined  by  the  engineer  officers,  who  had 
pieviously  surveyed  the  ground  for  that  purpose.  And  as 
soon  as  it  was  possible,  the  disembarkation  was  effected, 
and  the  troops  proceeded  to  entrench  themselves  in  their 
position.     Maxy  Hammond's  next  letter'  is  to  his  wife: — 

To  his  wife ; — 

**  April  11. 

.  ..."  It  is  time  I  should  tell  you  something  of  our 
proceedings.    Two  days  were  taken  up  in  reconnoitering 


^ 

.^^ 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


I.I 


1^  I2ii    122 


IIS. 


!J5  ||J4     14 

^ 

6"     

► 

Photographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


33  WeST  MAIN  STREIT 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  MSSO 

(716)  872-4503 


268 


THB  CAMP. 


the  ground  for  our  camp,  so  that  we  did  not  disembark 
till  Saturday,  when  we  marched  to  our  encamping  ground, 
about  nine  miles  from  Gallipoli,  and  about  two  from  a 
Turkish  village  called  Bulair. 

"  The  town  of  Gallipoli  baffles  description.  It  is  built 
on  the  side  of  a  hill,  a  mass  of  low  built  houses  with  tile 
roofs,  and  here  and  there  some  minarets  pointing  upwards 
above  the  houses,  from  the  top  of  which  the  priests  call 
the  faithful  to  prayer  mormng  and  evening.  In  the  centre 
of  the  town  is  a  fine  ruin  of  an  old  Byzantine  castle,  now 
the  depository  of  all  the  filth  of  the  town.  At  the  water's 
edge  you  see  something  in  the  shape  of  ricketty,  crazy 
piers,  and  above  the  spot  a  basin,  full  of  the  grey  masts 
and  yards  of  antiquated  and  unpainted  boats.  We  are 
entirely  dependent  on  these  boats  to  carry  our  luggage  on 
shore,  and  fine  work  we  have  to  make  the  sluggish  Turks 
move.  We  soon  found  out  that  the  only  way  was  to  take 
them  by  the  shoulder  and  make  them  work.  You  would 
laugh  to  have  seen  me  take  possession  of  a  boat,  with  four 
Sappers,  and  begin  to  get  the  sails  up.  Unfortunately  we 
ran  aground  before  we  could  get  off,  which  enabled  the 
Turks,  with  frantic  gesticulations,  to  reach  us,  and  get  on 
board,  and  then  we  forced  them  to  take  us  on.  The  nar- 
row streets  are  paved  with  large  stones  that  appear  to  have 
been  thrown  down  a  hundred  years,  and  which  have 
arranged  themselves  in  all  conceivable  forms.  Here  you 
meet  a  bullock-cart  of  the  rudest  description,  bumping 
and  shaking,  first  on  the  top  of  one  of  these  rocks,  and 
then  down  into  the  valley  beneath.  There  you  see  a  cavaJi- 
cade  of  pack  horses  coming  in  from  the  country,  escorted 
by  horsemen  with  a  long  gun  slung  across  the  shoulders, 


POSITION  OF  THE  ENCAMPMENT. 


269 


a  pair  of  elaboiately  ornamented  pistols/  and  a  yataghan 
stuck  in  the  girdle.  The  house  -windows  are  latticed  to 
conceal  the  unhappy  women,  who  are  rarely  seen  abroad. 
The  houses  cannot  be  said  to  be  built,  but  stuck  together 
anyhow.  Everything  looks  neglected  and  deserted.  Even 
the  graveyards  are  trampled  under  foot;  and  we  were 
horrified  at  seeing  the  holes  where  the  dogs  had  been  bur- 
rowing out  the  graves.  Of  a  piece  with  the  people  are 
the  storks,  which  sit  motionless  on  the  tops  of  the  houses, 
and  the  tortoises,  which  abound  and  typify  the  crawling 
indolence  of  the  inhabitants. 

"And  now  for  our  encampment.  "We  are  on  the  left 
of  the  position,  which  is  to  be  fortified  by  a  continuous 
line  of  field  works  across  the  isthmus.  The  ground  is 
undulating,  and  rising  to  a  height  of  about  500  feet. 
There  is  but  a  poor  supply  of  water;  and  that  could  be 
obtained  only  with  great  labour,  by  digging  wells,  making 
reservoirs,  &c.,  which  will  probably  be  dry  all  the  summer. 
Every  stick  of  wood  which  we  require  for  cooking  has  to 
be  fetched  upon  the  miserable  bullock- waggons.  We  have 
the  utmost  diflficulty  in  obtaining  supplies,  and  think  our- 
selves fortunate  if  we  can  get  a  few  onions  and  a  little  rice 
to  add  to  our  ration  beef.  Green  coffee  is  our  staple  drink. 
It  seems  to  be  a  country  without  resources.  The  people 
themselves  are  almost  starving.  How  an  army  is  to  move 
in  this  country  I  cannot  imagine.  We  are  told  to  provide 
ourselves  with  baggage  animals.  Captains  are  allowed 
one  animal  on  which  their  own  luggage,  tent,  camp  kettle, 
&c.,  are  to  be  carried.  Field  oflScerS  no  more.  Subalterns 
have  one  animal  and  a  tent.  I  have  got  two  ponies.  Jack 
and  Gill 


nSfF 


270 


THE  GAMP. 


-  "  Within  the  last  few  days  the  28th,  44th,  77th,  and 
93d  have  arrived.  The  33d  and  41st  have  gone  to  Con- 
stantinopla  There  are  also  5000  or  6000  French,  in- 
cluding several  regiments  of  Zouaves.  These  form  an 
African  corps.  They  are  all  Frenchmen,  dressed  d  la  mode 
d'Afrique — ^Fez  cap,  green  turban,  en  grande  tenue,  blue 
jacket,  open,  with  socks  of  red  embroidery,  waistcoat^ 
no  stock  or  neckcloth,  coarse  Turkish  trousers  hang- 
ing below  the  knees,  yellow-coloured  gaiters  on  the  calf, 
and  white  shoe  gaiters.  They  are  splendid-looking  fel- 
lows, and  I  believe  as  active  and  daring  as  they  look. 
They  are  armed  with  the  tige  rifle,  and  carry  their  tent' 

on  their  backs 

"  The  God  of  peace  be  with  you." 

To  his  wife: — 

**  Camp  near  Gallipoli,  Sunday, 
Ajnil  23,  1854. 

.  .  .  .  "I  never  felt  more  deeply  the  blessing  of  a 
Christian  Sabbath  than  in  this  far  land,  when  we  are  cut 
off  from  the  means  of  grace  in  our  own  favoured  country, 
and  are  in  this  dark  and  benighted  part  of  the  glob& 
The  Sabbath  is  especially  welcome  in  camp  life — ^to  have 
a  day  set  iq)art  for  God,  to  be  able  to  spend  some  time  in 
quietness,  in  communing  with  one's  own  breast,  and  seek- 
ing God  in  prayer.  We  have  had  a  chaplain  here  to-day. 
He  preached  on — 'Prepare  to  meet  thy  God:'  good,  as 
far  as  it  went.  He  spoke  nicely  to  the  men,  at  the  close, 
of  his  desire  to  be  of  service  to  them,  and  his  readings 
to  attend  them  in  sickness,  or  any  other  time  when  they 
were  in  need  of  the  consolations  of  the  gospel. 


SOURCE  OF  SUPPORT  IN  TIMES  OP  UNCERTAINTY.    271 


I,  8nd 
>  Con- 
ih,  in- 
m\  an 
I  mode 
e,  blue 
stcoat, 
bang- 
le calf, 
ag  f  el- 
f  look, 
r  tent» 


I 


DAY, 

• 

ig  of  a 
are  cut 
ountry, 
globe, 
-to  bave 
time  in 
id  seek- 
I  to-day. 
good,  as 
be  close, 
eadin^ss 
len  they 


*'  This  afternoon  I  gave  H  «  «  «  a  bundle  of  tracts  to 
take  round  to  the  tents.  I  wish  we  could  keep  a  supply 
in  hand  I  should  like  you  to  send  me  out  by  post  a 
dozen  copies  of  the  Leisure  Hour,  and  Churchman's 
Penny  Magazine.  .... 

"  And  now,  I  commend  you  to  Him  who  is  able  to  do 
exceeding  abundantly  above  that  we  can  ask  or  think." 

To  his  wife:— > 

**  Camp  near  Gallj^u, 
May  1,  1864. 

"Lord  Baglan  arrived  on  the   28th,  and, 

after  an  interview  with  General  Brown,  went  the  same 
evening  to  Constantinople.  The  works  here  are  pro- 
gressing rapidly,  and  will  probably  be  completed  in  a  few 
weeks. 

"  One  feels  lost  in  trying  to  conjecture  as  to  what  may 
happen;  but  there  is  peace  in  leaving  all  in  His  hands, 
whose  wisdom  cannot  err,  and  whose  love  cannot  fail. 

What  should  we  do  if  we  had  not  this  hope 

full  of  immortality,  to  comfort  and  sustain  our  hands  at 
such  a  time  as  this?  I  sometimes  wonder  how  those 
people  can  endure  it  who  have  not  this  source  of  consola- 
tion. We  have  just  heard  of  the  bombardment  and  de- 
struction of  Odessa.  How  awful  are  these  beginnings  of 
the  horrors  of  war !  How  it  should  make  us  pray  for 
peace;  and  long  for  the  beginning  of  the  reign  of  .peace 
and  righteousness,  which  shall  at  length  dawn  upon  our 
sin-smitten  world !  .  .  .  . 

"  We  enjoy  our  Saturday  evenings  so  much — they  are 


9m 


\s 


272 


THE  CAMP. 


80  refreshing  in  this  place,  where  one  is  constrained  so 
often  to  say,  *  Woe  is  me  that  I  sojourn  in  Mesech,  and 
dwell  in  the  tents  of  Kedar/  The  language  of  the  men 
is  awful;  but  I  am  thankful  to  say  that  the  officers  have 
been  unanimous  in  trying  to  repress  it.  One  has  been 
painfully  reminded  of  David's  description  of  the  wicked — 
•  Their  mouths  are  full  of  cursing.'  Notwithstanding 
this  apparent  godlessness,  it  is  strange  with  what  avidity 
tracts  are  received.  I  wish  I  had  a  large  supply.  I  am 
in  hopes  that  some  dep6t  will  be  established  at  Constanti- 
nople for  this  purpose.  The  Bible  Society  have  an  agent 
there,  and  they  have  determined  to  issue  a  copy  of  the 
New  Testament  to  every  soldier  and  sailor  in  these  parts, 
if  possible.' .... 

"  We  are  to  embark  on  Saturday  for  Scutari.  The  1st 
Koyals  arrived  to-day,  and  the  38th  are  expected  in  a  few 
days.  The  Melita  also  arrived  with  staff-officers,  including 
dear  J»*«r*in«:  dear  fellow,  you  may  conceive 
the  joy  it  was  to  us  both  to  meet  again.  This  is  another 
of  the  mercies  mingled  in  our  cup.  'He  stayeth  the 
rough  wind  in  the  day  of  his  east  wind.'  ....  God  bless 
you." 


The  profane  language  of  the  men,  upon  which  Captain 
Hammond  dwells  in  this  last  letter,  caused  him  very  deep 
pain;  and  in  more  than  one  other  letter  he  refers  to  the 
same  subject  In  a  letter  to  his  wife,  he  remarks:  "I 
like  what  you  say  about  contact  witli  sin,  and  the  pain 
which  it  must  cost  the  holy  Jesus  to  endure  this  con- 
tradiction of  sinners.  If  I  was  indeed  filled  with  the 
Spirit,   the  words  of  sin  would  pierce  and  wound  my 


ATTEMPT  TO  CHECK  riiOPANE  LANGUAGE. 


273 


heart  more  than  they  do.  Bat  I  am  thankful  to  say  there 
has  been  a  marked  difference  in  the  language  used  by  the 
men  of  my  own  company."  At  another  time  he  says: 
"  The  most  painful  part  of  this  kind  of  life  is,  the  being 
obliged  to  hear  the  horrible  oaths  and  '^ad  language  that 
the  men  use.  This  morning  I  spoke  to  my  company  on 
the  subject,  and  I  trust  there  may  be  some  improvement 
outwardly.  But,  oh !  one's  heart  sinks  at  the  thought  of 
so  many  souls  dead  in  sins — sold  under  sin  to  Satan." 


An  officer  of  the  Engineers,  speaking  of  the  delight  he 
found  in  Captain  Hammond's  society  at  this  period,  men- 
tions a  fact  which  is  illustrative  of  his  boldness  in  confess- 
ing Christ  before  men,  and  of  his  love  and  anxiety  for 
others.  He  says,  "  There  is  one  passage  in  «  «  «  s  letter 
that  I  must  mention.  It  is  that  of  having  prayers  with 
his  servant  I  am  sure  he  was  the  first  officer  in  camp  in 
Turkey  who  did  so.  In  May  1854, 1  remember  well  talk- 
ing about  it  to  him;  I  was  so  glad,  and  felt  it  so  good  of 
him,  amid  our  excitement,  and  the  excessive  work  of  our 
new  lines  at  Boulair/' 

To  his  wife: — 

"ScuTAEi,  JIfay  9,  1864. 

,  ,  ,  .  "  We  left  our  encampment  on  Saturday  morning 
early,,  and,  for  the  first  time,  loaded  our  mules  with 
baggage  for  the  march.  About  half-way,  the  whole  force 
was  reviewed  by  General  Brown,  in  presence  of  all  the 
French  Generals  and  their  staffs.  The  morning  was 
excessively  hot,  and  the  men  over-weighted.  Many  poor 
fellows  fainted  in  the  ranks.     It  is  very  painful  to  see  men 


m 


274 


THE  CAMP. 


fairly  sinking  under  the  heavy  loads  on  their  backs,  and 
very  humiliating  to  be  obliged  to  confess  that  the  French 
are  so  superior  to  us  in  the  equipment  of  their  soldiers. 

"  We  arrived  here  on  Sunday  morning.  The  view  of 
Constantinople,  as  you  get  near,  is  certainly  very  beautiful ; 
and  the  tents  of  our  army  on  the  Scutari  side  add  much 
to  the  picturesque  effect  The  town  is  built  on  a  slope, 
and  the  Golden  Horn  divides  Stamboul  from  the  French 
districts.  On  the  opposite  side  of  the  water  stands  Scutari 
Stamboul  is  very  striking,  with  its  many  domes,  and 
minarets,  and  C3rpresses ;  and  the  Sultan's  seraglio,  occupy- 
ing a  large  space  of  ground  at  the  comer  next  to  the 
Golden  Horn.  .... 

"  The  ground  which  the  army  occupies  here  is  rather 
pretty.  The  camps  are  close  to  the  water's  edge,  in  a 
grassy  slope,  backed  by  a  splendid  grove  of  cypress,  which 

shades  the  tombs  of  the  depai-ted  who  lie  beneath 

The  barracks  and  the  hospital  are  magnificent  buildings  as 
to  space.  It  is  said  the  barracks  will  hold  10,000  men; 
but  they  have  managed  so  to  fill  it  with  the  staff  that  at 
present  there  are  only  four  regiments  in  it.  ...  . 

"I  had  a  visit  yesterday  from  Mr  T  «  «  *,  the  Free 
Church  missionary  to  the  Jews  iri  Constantinople.  He 
appears  to  be  a  very  nice  and  good  man.  There  are 
80,000  Spanish  Jews  in  Constantinople.  They  were 
expelled  from  Spain  by  Philip  III.  at  the  end  of  the 
sixteenth  century.  I  believe  they  speak  a  compound  of 
Arabic  and  Spanish;  but  they  cannot  read  the  Boman 
character,  so  the  books  are  in  the  Spanish  language,  with 
the  Hebrew  character.  Little  more  has  been  done  among 
them  than  the  establishment  of  schools,  and  the  awakening 


RELIGIOUS  TOLERATION. 


27o 


J  t, 


a  spirit  of  inquiry.  Mr  T  «  «  «  told  us  that  tho 
American  missionaries  are  doing  a  great  deal  of  good 
among  the  Armenians.  There  are  very  many  Protestant 
congregations  of  them  scattered  throughout  Turkey,  both 
in  Europe  and  Asia.  There  is  perfect  toleration  here  given 
to  all  religions,  and  the  Bible  may  be  freely  circulated  to  all 
but  the  Mahometans.  With  them  the  spirit  of  persecu- 
tion is  still  as  strong  as  ever.  Mr  T  «  «  «  told  us  that  a 
Mahometan  was  put  to  death  at  Adrianople  about  three 
months  ago  for  becoming  a  Christian.  I  trust  that  France 
and  ourselves  will  insist  on  religious  liberty  to  all,  before 
we  leave  this  country." 

To  his  wife: — 

"  Scutari,  May  22, 1864. 

....  "Never  before  have  I  felt  so  much  need  of 
putting  on  the  armour  of  God;  and  it  seems  sometimes  as 
if  this  is  the  place  where  Satan's  seat  is;  and  my  soul 
longs  for  the  perfect  purity  above,  where  there  will  be  no 
sights  and  sounds  of  sin,  and  where  we  shall  no  longer  be 
made  wretched  by  the  corruption  within,  which,  after  all, 
is  our  worst  enemy.  .... 

"Amidst  so  much  that  is  trying  from  <^vthin  and 
without,  I  have  found  that  the  good  Shepherd  who  is 
leading  us  along  these  rugged  paths  can  give  songs  in  the 
wilderness,  and  that  He  does  provide  rills  of  comfort  and 
refreshment  such  as  the  world  knows  not  of.  Such  a 
stream  of  mercy  was  the  communion  which  was  adminis- 
ttered  yesterday  in  one  of  the  passages  of  the  barracks.  I 
felt  it  to  be  a  peculiarly  solemn  and  affecting  season.  The 
circumstances  under  which  we  were  met  together  in  this 


270 


TUB  CAMP. 


1 1 


foreign  and  heathen  land,  where  we  have  been  assembled 
for  the  purpose  of  war,  produced  a  feeling  in  my  mind 
such  as  I  never  before  remember.  The  love  of  Christ  did 
appear  to  be  inexpressibly  precious,  and  His  words  of  love 
in  John  vi.  melted  me  to  tears.  I  think  the  thoughts  of 
His  love  filled  my  heart  above  ever3rthing  else.  In  the 
afternoon  I  went  with  F  •  «  «  and  J  «  «  «  to  the  ser- 
vice of  the  Embassy.  The  chaplain  is  a  truly  good  and 
very  superior  man.  He  preached  on  Psalm  xxiii  4 — '  The 
shadow  of  death,'  a  beautiful  sermon.  I  was  particularly 
struck  with  his  searching  address  to  believers  on  the  fear 
of  evil,  the  cause  of  which  was  to  be  found  in  our  practical 
unbelief.  He  bade  us  look  to  the  state  of  our  spiritual 
affections,  and  to  find  out  the  source  of  this  root  of  bitter- 
ness. The  realised  presence  of  the  Lord  can  alone  cast 
out  this  fear. 

*'  And  now,  good  night.  May  the  angel  of  Qod's  pre- 
sence watch  over  thee  and  preserve  thee  from  evil  by 
night  and  by  day !  .  .  .  . 

"  May  23. — I  believe  it  is  pretty  certain  now  that  the 
Light  Division  is  to  move  to  Varna  on  Saturday;  and  the 
remainder  of  the  army  will  follow  as  soon  as  possible. 
The  report  is  that  Silistria  is  invested  by  70,000  Russians, 
and  cannot  hold  out;  so  that,  perhaps,  we  shall  be  pushed 
on  to  relieve  the  place,  if  it  has  not  already  fallen,  in  con«- 
cert  with  the  French  and  Turks.  These  things,  uncertain 
as  they  are,  make  one  feel  that  the  realities  of  war  may  be 
near  at  hand.  But,  dearest,  this  is  one  of  the  numbered 
waves,  that  we  trust  are  wafting  us  to  the  haven  of  rest 
wliere  we  would  be.  May  we  both  have  grtace  to  take 
hold  of  the  words  whicli  were  addrosscl  to  Josliua,  and 


18  MOVED  TO  VARNA. 


277 


.1 


which  seem  so  peculiarly  applicable  to  us  now  (Josh.  i. 
7-9).  There  is  a  connexion  here  between  obedience  and 
safety.  If  we,  too,  are  living  by  faith  in  Jesus,  the  pro- 
mise will  assuredly  be  fulfilled  to  us  both  (ver.  9),  '  for 
the  Lord  thy  God  is  with  thee,  whithersoever  thou  goest.' 

"  I  should  like  much  to  be  able  to  adopt  your  sugges- 
tion, of  securing  a  clear  half-hour,  the  first  thing  in  the 
morning,  for  prayer.  I  shall  try  to  do  so.  But  with  our 
early  parades,  at  half -past  six,  it  is  rather  hard  work  getting 
up  in  time  ;  but  I  shall  make  an  eflfort,  for  I  feel  with  you 
that  there  never  was  a  time  when  I  needed  .so  much  to 
seek  strength  by  prayer. 

"10  P.M. — The  order  has  come  out  for  the  Light  Division 
to  embark  on  Friday  the  26th  for  Varna.  So,  by  the  time 
this  reaches  you,  I  shall  probably  be  in  our  new  encamp- 
ment somewhere  between  Varna  and  Shumla.     Farewell." 

To  his  wife : — 

"  Camp  at  Varna,  Jtme  1, 1 854. 

.  .  .  .  "  We  are  encamped  just  outside  the  town  till  the 
disembarkation  of  the  horses  and  troops  has  taken  place ; 
and  we  are  then  to  march  to  Devna,  at  the  head  of  the 
lake,  and  await  the  arrival  of  the  other  divisions.  The 
regiments  composing  the  Light  Division,  the  7th,  29th, 
23d,  33d,  77th,  88th,  Eifle  Brigade,  and  8th  Hussars,  and 
a  troop  of  Horse  Artillery,  are  here.  The  others  will  fol- 
low as  soon  as  possible. 

"  Gamp  eight  miles  west  of  Vaima,  on  the  road  to 
Shumla,  June  7. — I  wish  you  could  see  our  present 
camp,  it  is  so  pretty,  situated  in  the  lake  district,  sur- 
rounded by  lovely  hills,  oflf-shoots  from  the  Balkan.     It  is 


278 


THE  CAMP. 


1 1 


a  shame  that  such  a  lovely  country  should  lie  waste ;  and 
I  must  own  I  hope  it  will  pass  into  other  hands,  for  the 
Turks  have  had  it  too  long,  and  it  is  time  that  the  ground 
should  be  cultivated  and  the  people  civilised  and  Chris- 
tianised. The  whole  division  is  encamped  on  this  spot 
except  the  Hussars  and  the  17th  Lancers,  who  have  gone  on 
to  Devna,  seven  miles  further.  We  have  fairly  commenced 
the  routine  of  an  army  in  the  field,  and  have  an  outlying 
picquet  to  cover  the  camp  by  day  and  night  I  was 
sent  with  half  my  company,  for  the  first  time  since  I  have 
been  a  soldier,  on  this  duty  the  day  that  we  marched  in. 
This  is  more  for  practice  than  necessity,  as  there  are  no 
Russians  within  fifty  miles  of  us.  .  .  . 

"  I  dined  with  A  «  «  «  on  Sunday,  the  night  before 
we  left  Varna,  and  met  •  «  «.  I  don't  think  I  ever  came 
across  a  more  earnest  and  zealous  Christian,  or  a  more 
fearless  one.  '  Out  of  the  abundance  of  his  heart  his  mouth 
spoke'  the  whole  evening,  and  he  urged  upon  us  to  read  and 
pray  together  before  parting.  I  envied  his  holy  boldness 
and  single-hearted  zeal  for  God  and  the  salvation  of  souls ; 
and  I  felt  deeply  humbled  by  such  an  example.  It  is  diffi- 
cult to  know  what  to  do,  but  the  chief  difficulty  lies  in  the 
coldness  of  my  heart  and  want  of  love  towards  my  Saviour. 
Some  would  say  that  «  «  «  is  incautious.  But  I  am 
convinced  that  such  a  witness  for  Christ  must  be  blessed, 
wherever  he  goes.  ....  The  God  of  peace  be  with  you." 

To  his  wife: — 

"  Camp,  eight  miles  feom  Vakna, 
June  9,  1854. 

....  "Wc  are  to  move  our  camp  to-morrow.     The 


• 


\ 


te;  and 

for  the 

ground 

Chris- 

His  spot 

gone  on 

imenced 

outlying 

I  was 

e  I  have 

ched  in. 

are  no 

t  before 
TBT  came 

a  more 
is  mouth 
read  and 
boldness 
of  souls ; 
t  is  diffi- 
3s  in  the 
Saviour. 
Lt  I  am 

blessed, 
Lth  you." 


w.     The 


BUNDAY  IN  CAMP. 


271) 


order  in  which  we  move  is  as  follows:  1,  A  squadron  of 
Hussars;  2,  Advanced  guard  of  Rifles  (two  companies);  3, 
Horse  Artillery ;  4,  Battalion  of  Rifles ;  5,  Regiment  of  Line ; 
6,  Baggage  animals;  7,  Slaughter  animals;  8,  Rear-guard 
of  one  company. 

"Sunday,  lltk. — ^What  a  curious  Sunday  this  has  been 
to  me !  I  am  writing  on  out-lying  picquet,  in  a  little  h  it 
made  of  boughs,  with  my  waterproof  sheet  spread  o\  er 
the  roof.  We  go  on  picquet  at  half-past  two  A.M.  I  and 
are  relieved  at  that  hour;  so  you  may  imagine  I  was  very 
sleepy  this  morning,  and  did  not  feel  at  all  in  a  Sabbath 
spirit  .... 

"  I  love  to  read  the  Church  Service,  and  to  join  in  spirit 
with  all  Christ's  people,  who  are  using  these  beautiful 
forms  of  prayer,  on  this  holy  day.  Soon,  deairest,  we 
shall  join  the  Church  above,  having  '  washed  our  robes, 
and  made  them  white,  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb.'  I 
found  much  comfort  to-day  in  the  Psalms,  especially  the 
60th;  it  seemed  so  applicable  to  present  circumstances: 
driven  out  to  this  horrid  war  on  account  of  national  and 
individual  sins.  The  heavy  hand  of  God  laid  upon  me, 
not  altogether  in  judgment,  but  in  love;  for  are  we  not 
told  to  look  upon  chastisements  as  a  token  of  His 
love?  .... 

"  Saturday  night,  Jv/ne  17th. — I  have  just  got  back  to 
my  tent,  after  our  Saturday  evening  reading  with  «  «  «, 
»  «  »  ,  «  «  «.  How  singular  that  we  should  be  per- 
mitted still  to  meet  together  in  this  changing  world,  as 
we  used  to  do  in  dearest  N  «  «  « 's  drawing-room,  at 
Halifax,  nearly  ten  years  ago.  Do  you  think  the  saints 
in  heaven  know  at  all  what  is  taking  place  on  earth?    If 


280 


THE  CAMP. 


they  do,  how  must  she  rejoice  in  seeing  the  same  Kttle 
party  still  feeding  together  among  the  green  pastures  and 
still  waters  of  the  blessed  Word  It  is  such  a  comfort 
to  refresh  and  animate  each  other's  hearts,  by  spiritual 
communion,  in  this  time  of  bustle  and  unrest.  We  were 
saying,  to-night,  what  peculiar  sweetness,  what  considera- 
tion for  the  darkness  of  our  hearts,  there  is  in  the 
admonition,  '  not  forsaking  the  assembling  of  yourselves 
together.'  .... 

"  There  are  rumours  of  a  forward  move  to  Silistria.  I 
believe  few  people  have  any  idea  of  the  difficulties  of 
moving  an  army  in  such  a  country.  You  may  have  some 
idea  of  this  from  the  single  fact,  that  it  is  said  that  it  will 
require  12,000  horses  to  carry  up  the  food  and  necessary 
stores  for  the  troops  on  the  march  to  Silistria.  All 
supplies  must  be  brought  up  from  the  rear."  .... 

To  his  wife: — 

"  Camp  Aladyn,  Outlying  Picquet, 
June  20th. 

"  You  see  we  have  not  moved  yet I  had  such  a 

nice  dream  last  night,  about  seeing  you  and  our  sweet 
little  Nina.  I  thought  she  was  grown  so  enormously, 
and  had  come  on  so  in  mind  and  manners,  and  looked 
most  lovely.  I  like  such  dreams  of  home;  though  my 
heart  aches  when  I  remember  that  I  am  in  tins  strange 
and  far-off  land.  I  am,  at  times,  very  very  sad ;  and  the 
bitterness  of  separation  is,  if  possible,  more  keenly  felt 
than  ever.  Is  it  not  hard  to  our  poor  weak  natures  to 
learn  the  lesson  that  God  has  been  teaching  us,  to 
cease    from    seeking   ropofie  here  on    earth.      My  heart 


p- 


\ 


MILITARY  SUfiVEYl^'G. 


281 


le  little 
ires  and 
comfort 
spiritual 
^e  were 
•nsidera- 
in  the 
)urselve3 

stria.  I 
ulties  of 
ave  some 
lat  it  will 
accessary 
ria.     AH 


:CQUET, 

ad  such  a 
our  sweet 
Lormously, 
id  looked 
lough  my 
is  strange 
I;  and  the 
teenly  felt 
natures  to 
ig   us,   to 
My  heart 


does  cling  to  home,  and  the  hope  of  meeting  those  I 
love  dearest  on  earth  again.  Do  you  think  this  is 
wrong?  I  hope  not;  for  this  sustains  and  keeps  me  up 
when  I  might  almost  sink,  'because  of  the  way/  If 
we  are,  indeed,  setting  our  affections  on  things  above, 
I  don't  think  we  need  fear  letting  our  earthly  affections 
have  their  full  and  natural  sway.  .... 

"  Various  reports  and  rumours  are  afloat;  some  say  the 
Russians,  disheartened  by  frequent  repulses,  have  retired 
from  Silistria;  and  I  believe  it  is  a  fact,  that  Omar  Pacha 
has  thrown  12,000  additional  troops  into  the  place.  My 
impression  is,  that  if  transport,  sufficient  for  ourselves 
and  the  French,  can  be  procured,  we  shall  move  forward; 
and,  as  a  soldier,  I  think  we  ought  to  do  so.  ...  . 

"  I  have  been  amusing  and  instructing  myself  by  sur- 
veying the  ground  around  the  camp,  and  have  finished  my 
sketch  to-day.  I  like  the  work,  and  it  may  be  useful  .  . 
The  wild  flowers  are  lovely;  most  of  them  are  in  our  gar- 
dens at  home.  There  are  beautiful  insects,  too,  which  I 
delight  in,  and  long  to  preserve;  but  this  is  impos- 
sible. .  .  .  Farewell. 

"  Jime  28th. — By  the  time  this  reaches  you,  you  will 
have  heard  of  rhe  retreat  of  the  Russians  from  Silistria. 
....  We  march  to  Devna  to-moiTow  for  certain.'* 

To  his  wife: — 

"Camp,  Devna,  J"wZy  3, 
Sunday. 

"  I  have  wandered  to  the  top  of  the  high  range  of  hills 
in  rear  of  our  camp,  that  I  might  find  a  solitary  place, 


282 


THE  CAMP. 


\ 


far  from  the  haunts  of  men,  where  I  might  seek  alone  the 
presence  and  blessing  of  my  heavenly  Father,  in  lifting  up 
my  heart  to  Him,  and  spreading  my  wants  and  cares 
before  Him.  And  here,  too,  have  I  in  spirit  held  com- 
munion with  my  wife,  at  our  common  mercy  seat.  I  am 
most  thankful  that  you  have  been  enabled  to  cast  all  your 
cares  on  Him.  Let  us  both  pray  for  faith  for  each  day  as 
it  comes;  and  let  us  not  attempt  to  look  beyond,  into  the 
unknown  future.  To-day  is  ours;  to-morrow  is  the 
Lord's ;  and  we  may  safely  leave  it  to  Him  to  dispose  of 
it  as  He  sees  best.  With  me,  the  uncertainty  is  so  great 
as  to  what  is  going  to  take  place,  that  I  am,  of  necessity, 
driven  to  leave  all  in  His  hands. 

"July  loth. — ^The  communion  was  celebrated  yester- 
day morning,  in  the  open  air,  under  a  burning  sun. 
I  felt  the  heat  so  much,  that  it  deprived  me  of  the  power 
of  fixing  my  mind;  and  I  did  not,  therefore,  find  that 
enjoyment  in  the  ordinance  that  I  did  the  last  time  at 
Scutari;  though  the  occasion,  yesterday,  was  equally 
solemn;  and  it  was  deeply  interesting  to  see  so  many 

humbly  kneeling  before  the  cross  of  Jesus I  was 

thinking  yesterday,  of  the  duty  of  Christian  love,  as  ex- 
pressed in  those  words  of  our  Lord  (John  xv.  12) — *  This  is 
my  commandment,  that  ye  love  one  another,  as  I  have  loved 
you.'  This,  no  doubt,  refers,  in  the  first  place,  to  the  love 
of  the  brethrea  But  does  it  not  extend  to  the  love  of  our 
fellow-men  generally,  for  Christ's  sake?  I  feel  that  I 
have  come  far  short  of  this  exercise  of  love.  It  is  on  • 
of  the  peculiar  temptations  of  camp  life,  where  there  is 
so  much  gossip  and  evil  speaking,  and  so  much  laughing 
at  other  people.     I  know  that  you  will  pray  that  I  may 


m 


BUMOUES  OF  EXPEDITION  TO  THE  CRIMEA. 


283 


V 


ilone  the 
if  ting  up 
ad  cares 
eld  com- 
t.  I  am 
b  all  your 
eh  day  as 

into  the 
is  the 
lispose  of 

so  great 
necessity, 

id  yester- 
ling  sun. 
the  power 

find  that 
it  time  at 
3    equally 

so  many 

.  .  I  was 
ve,  as  ex- 
—*  This  is 
have  loved 
bo  the  love 
love  of  our 
'eel  that  I 

It  is  on 
re  there  is 
1  laughing 
hat  I  may 


overcome  this  besetting  sin,  and  possess  more  of  the  mind 
of  Christ  That  is  no  unmeaning  term  used  to  describe 
His  character — '  harmless.'  ....  The  hospital  tent  is  a 
sad  place  for  a  dying  man.  One  feels  how  almost  hope- 
less it  is  for  any  one  to  begin  to  seek  Christ  there." 

To  his  wife:  — 

**  Camp,  Devna,  July  20. 

....  "We  shall  all  be  glad  to  get  away  from  this 
place.    The  ground  is  low  and  marshy,  and  it  cannot  be 
healthy ;  not  that  there  is  any  serious  sickness  among  the 
troops,  but  there  have  been  a  good  many  cases  of  remit- 
tent fever.  ....  Various  rumours  are  afloat  as  to  our 
future  movements,  and  a  council  of  war  has  been  called 
at  Yama.    The  transports  are  assembling  at  Varna,  and 
the  fleet  is  to  be  there  on  the  29th.     Some  say  they  are 
to  take  us  ta  the  Crimea,  and  others,  to  Anapa  in  Cir- 
cassia.  ....  I  cannot  think  we  are  in  a  position  to  make 
an  attack  on  Sebastopol  at  present ;  and  I  must  con^ss  I 
do  not  feel  eager  for  such  a  hazardous  attempt.  .... 
"We  are  likely  to  move  a  few  miles  on  Monday,  for  change 
of  air.     General  Brown  is  on  a  cruise  in  the  Black  Sea ; 
but  no  one  knows  where  he  is  gone,  or  what  is  contem- 
plated.    The  more  I  think  of  Sebastopol,  the  more  con- 
vinced I  feel  that  we  cannot  attempt  any  attack  upon  it 
this  year:  we  have  neither  the  men  nor  the  material. 
ITiis  life  is  becoming  very  weary ;  there  is  not  even  any 
excitement  to  keep  one  up.     Sometimes  I  long  to  beat 
my  sword  into  a  pruning-hook,  it  is  so  uncongenial  to  all 
my  tastes  and  feelings.     But  I  must  not  allow  myself  to 
indulge  in  such  feelings.     It  ought  to  be  enough  to  know 


■m>Ltiv..Mt- mmtmi. 


284 


THE  CAMP. 


\ 


i 


that  I  am  following  in  the  path  of  duty,  leaving  my  wife 
and  child  behind  me;  and  I  know  there  is  no  position 
in  which  I  may  not  glorify  God 

"  10.30  P.M. — Just  come  back  from  A  «  «  «'s  tent: 
these  occasions  are  very  refreshing  to  one's  spirit.  We 
were  reading  1  Thess.  iii.  St  Paul's  prayer  that  the  Lord 
would  direct  his  way  to  them,  is  an  encouragement  to  us, 
I  think,  in  asking  that  we  may  be  permitted  to  meet  again 
in  peace  by  the  will  of  Qod. 

"  What  a  rest  will  be  that  above,  when  we  shall  serve 
and  praise  our  Redeemer,  without  weary  bodies  to  drag 
down  our  souls,  and  without  the  still  heavier  clog  of  sin 
to  prevent  our  hearts  ascending  to  God !  '  His  servants 
shall  serve  him,  and  they  shall  see  his  face.' " 

"  Camp  at  Dbvna,  July  8, 1854. 

"  My  very  deab  Fmend, —  ....  What  a  comfort  it 
is,  in  such  troublous  times  as  these,  amid  wars  and  ru- 
mours of  wars,  to  turn  to  the  promises  of  the  gospel;  and 
to  feel  that,  when  these  things  come  to  pass,  we  may  lift 
up  our  hands,  and  recognise,  above  the  storm  of  human 
commotions,  and  the  intrigues  of  politicians  and  states- 
men, the  hand  that  is  directing  and  overruling  all !  And 
we  know  that  it  is  the  same  Hand  that  was  once  piei;ced 
for  us,  and  which  was  once  stretched  over  the  troubled 
sea,  '  and  there  was  a  great  calm.'  God  grant  that  out  of 
all  these  things  showers  of  blessings  may  come  down,  and 
the  gospel  be  promoted  in  the  East ! " 

*'  Camp,  Mon astir,  July  28,  1854 
"  My  DEAREST  Father,^  ....  I  have  told  R  «  «  « — 


CHOLERA  BREAKS  OUT. 


285 


tny  wife 
position 

's  tent: 
it.  We 
;he  Lord 
nt  to  U8, 
2et  again 

all  serve 

to  drag 

Dg  of  sin 

[  servants 


,  1854. 

omfort  it 
and  ru- 
spel;  and 
may  lift 
of  human 
ad  states- 
ill  !     And 
ce  piei;ced 
B  troubled 
ihat  out  of 
down,  and 


ir' 


and  you  will  probably  see  in  the  papers — that  the  cholera 
has  broken  out  among  the  troops  within  the  last  five  days, 
and  there  have  been  between  forty  and  fifty  deaths  in  the 
division.  We  immediately  removed  our  camp  from  Devna 
to  this  beautiful  and  airy  spot.    Our  regiment  has  hitherto 

escaped,  most  mercifully,  with  only  two  deaths 

The  7th,  23d,  and  88th,  have  been  the  chief  sufferers. 
The  situation  of  our  camp  at  Devna  was  decidedly  un- 
healthy, being  close  to  an  extensive  marsh  at  the  head  of 
the  lake.  We  are  now  encamped  in  a  Turkish  village  a 
short  distance  from  Pravady.  There  is  generally  a  de- 
lightful breeze  Coming  from  the  sea.  The  weather  has 
been  hot — ^generally  between  80°  and  90*'  in  the  shade; 
but  we  have  all  built  bowers  in  front  of  our  tents; 
The  ride  from  here  to  Pravady  is  across  a  large  plain, 
on  which  are  several  tumuli,  where  the  Eussians  are  said 
to  have  buried  six  thousand,  who  died  of  the  plague  in 
1828.     I  .  .  • 

"  Camp,  Monastir,  August  8,  1854 

"  My  dearest  Mother, —  ....  I  am  afraid  you  will 
be  made  anxious  by  accounts  of  the  sickness  amongst  us. 
In  some  regiments  it  is  abating,  in  others  there  are  still 
some  fatal  cases.  We  have  been  mercifully  dealt  with, 
and  have  not  lost  so  many  as  other  regiments.  Our  poor 
old  paymaster,  N  ♦  ♦  *,  died  last  Friday,  after  four  days' 
illness.  He  was  a  good  man,  and  died,  I  believe,  in 
humble  dependence  on  the  merits  of  his  Eedeemer.  My 
patience  is  getting  very  much  tried,  being  kept  month 
nfter  month  in  this  stationary  camp.  We  are  now  a  little 
revived  by  rumours  of  an  expedition  somewhere  in  the 


• 


236 


THE  CAMP. 


rr 


1^- 


Black  Sea.  The  general  opinion  is  that  it  is  to  be  Sebas- 
topol,  and  that  we  are  to  attempt  it  by  a  coup-de-main. 
Of  course,  our  generals  must  have  well  weighed  the  pro- 
babilities of  success,  and  the  disastrous  consequences  of 
failure,  before  they  decided  on  risking  such  an  attempt. 
Strange  as  it  is  to  say,  though  I  hate  war,  and  have  no 
desire  to  see  bullets  fly,  I  shall  be  gl  id  if  the  path  of  duty 
leads  me  to  more  active  operations.  This  stand-still,  do- 
nothing  existence  is  most  trying,  especially  now  that  sick- 
ness is  in  our  camp.  It  is  a  time  for  setting  our  house  in 
order;  but  blessed  be  God  there  is  strong  consolation,  if, 
as  guilty  sinners,  we  can  rest  upon  the  ^nished  work  of 
the  Lord  Jesus,  and  embrace  the  gracious  invitation, 
'  Come  unto  me,  all  ye  that  labour  and  are  heavy  laden, 
and  I  will  give  you  rest.'  .... 

"Soon  they  must  consider  the  question  of  winter  quar- 
ters for  our  army;  and  I  have  a  dim  and  shadowy  vision 
of  getting  two  months'  leave  and  seeing  home.  But  there 
have  been  too  many  lessons,  lately,  of  the  uncertainty  of 
all  human  events,  to  set  my  heart  on  such  an  air-castle. 
How  quieting  to  the  mind  is  that  little  clause,  which 
ought  to  precede  all  our  plans  for  the  future,  *If  the 
Lord  will*  we  will  do  this  or  that ! — ^Your  affectionate 

«  Max."  "^ 


To  his  wife : — 

"Camp,  MoNASTiR,  JwZy  26. 

.  ..."  I  am  sorry  to  say  cholera  has  appeared  among 
us  within  the  last  few  days.  There  is  a  quantity  of  unripe 
fruit  about,  plums  and  apricots ;  and  the  men  luill  eat  it, 
notwithstanding  a  positive  prohibition,  and  their  being 


»e  Sebas- 
de-w>ain. 
the  pro- 
lences  of 
attempt. 
I  liave  no 
;h  of  duty 
l-stiU,  do- 
that  sick- 
r  house  in 
olation,  if, 
>d  work  of 
invitation, 
eavy  laden, 

inter  quar- 
lowy  vision 

But  there 
certainty  of 
n  air-castle, 
ause,  which 
ire,  'If  the 
ictionate 

"Max." 


July  26. 
eared  among 
ity  of  unripe 
1 7oill  eat  it, 

their  being 


GENERAL  BROWN  RECONNOITRES  IN  THE  BLACK  SEA.    287 

punished  if  caught  The  division  was  moved  in  consequence. 
This  is  such  a  beautiful  healthy-looking  place  that  I  trust 
the  awful  disease  may  abate.  But  after  all,  though  we 
may  talk  about  second  causes,  it  is  the  finger  of  God  that 
is  upon  us,  justly  punishing  us  for  our  sins.  The  wonder 
is,  not  that  He  should  punish  us  for  our  offences,  but  that 
we  are  not  utterly  consumed.  What  comfort  there  is  in 
what  David  said,  when  he  chose  the  judgment  of  pestilence 
in  preference  to  famine  or  the  sword  of  the  enemy — *  Let 
us  now  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  Lord,  for  his  mercies  are 
great.'  The  saddest  part  of  all  is  to  think  of  the  unprepared- 
ness  of  those  poor  souls  to  meet  their  God,  when  they  are 
suddenly  cut  down  in  a  moment.  And  yet  you  hear  the 
same  words  of  cursing  and  ungodliness  as  ever.  .... 

"  General  Brown  has  returned  from  his  cruise  in  the 
Black  Sea.  The  fleet  went  to  Sebastopol  with  an  equal 
number  of  ships  to  the  Russian  fleet ;  and  they  threw 
down  the  gauntlet  to  them,  but  they  could  not  be  Induced 
to  come  out.  The  Furious,  in  which  Brown  was,  went 
rather  close  to  the  batteries  and  fired  a  shot  in  defiance; 
which  was  instantly  returned  by  eight  shots  from  the  enemy, 
three  of  which  fell  on  board  the  Furious,  without,  how- 
ever, doing  any  other  damage  than  playing  havoc  among 
the  bottles  in  tlie  midshipmen's  mess-room. 

To  his  wife : — 

"  Camp,  Monastir,  August  5. 

"  Trial  is  the  furnace  in  which  the  dross  must  be  purged 
away,  and  the  soul  made  to  reflect  more  clearly  the  image 
of  Jesus.  Let  us,  then,  wait  patiently  and  constantly  upon 
the  Lord,  as  Paul  did,  when  he  besought  Him  that  the 


f 


jgXfey 


288 


THE  CAMP. 


thoni  might  be  removed.  May  we,  too,  be  satisfied  with 
the  same  answer — 'My  grace  is  sufiicient  for  thee,'  and  may 
it  be  given  to  us  gladly  to  suffer  infirmities,  that  the  power 
of  Christ  may  rest  upon  us.  May  we  be  enabled  more 
fully  to  enter  into  1  Pet.  i  8. 

"  To-morrow  is  the  Sabbath.  I  shall  try,  by  God's  grace, 
to  make  these  things  special  subjects  of  prayer  for  us  both." 

To  his  wife : — 

"UoTH ASTIR,  August  10, 185^, 

,  .  .  ''I  am  afraid  you  and  the  St  Alban's  people  will  have 
thought  my  letters  very  triste.  But  it  is  not  easy  to  keep 
up  a  cheerful  countenance  when  there  is  sadness  within  ; 
and  I  must  own  to  have  felt  very  sad  and  unhappy  for  a 
few  days,  with  so  much  sickness  amongst  us,  and  a  gloom, 
in  consequence,  over  the  whole  camp.  But  we  have  been 
most  mercifully  dealt  witL     I  have  felt  more  peace  lately. 

...  At  times  I  have  been  brought  very  low ;  but  the 
Lord  has  graciously  lifted  me  up  again,  and  I  have  been 
enabled  to  hope  in  His  mercy,  and  to  feel  that  in  the  most 
trying  dispensations  He  is  doing  all  well  Would  that  I 
could  indeed  long  more  earnestly  for  that  glory  which  is 
to  be  revealed.  Yet,  notwithstanding  the  many  lessons  I 
have  had,  of  the  uncertainty  of  human  things,  and  the 
folly  of  setting  the  heart  upon  them,  I  find  myself  still 
cleaving  to  earth,  nor  can  I  say  I  have  a  deqjre  to  depart 
and  be  with  Christ ;  my  prayer  rather  is,  Lord  spare  me 
to  see,  0  xe  more,  those  dearest  to  me  on  earth,  and  if 
not,  help  me  to  acquiesce  in  thy  holy  will.  Hpw  much 
more  blessed  is  the  hope  of  the  coming  of  Christ  For 
then  we  shall  all  be  gathered  unto  Him— then  '  we  which 


TRIALS  OF  FAITH. 


289 


ttisfied  with 
le/  and  may 
,t  the  power 
labled  more 

God's  grace, 
for  us  both." 


10, 1854. 
oplewill  have 
easy  to  keep 
Iness  within ; 
nhappy  for  a 
and  a  gloom, 
we  have  been 
i  peace  lately, 
low ;  but  the 
I  have  been 
it  in  the  most 
Would  that  I 
;lory  which  is 
lany  lessons  I 
ings,  and  the 
id  myseH  still 
^e  to  depart 
iord  spare  me 

earth,  and  if 
Hpw  much 

Christ.    For 
len  *  we  which 


are  alive  shall  be  caught  up  together  to  meet  the  Lord  in 
the  air,  and  so  shall  we  be  ever  with  the  Lord.'  I  suppose 
that  if  the  heart  were  filled  with  the  love  of  Jesus,  as  Paul's 
was,  even  death  would  seem  desirable,  for  the  joy  of  being 
with  Him.  '  Now  the  God  of  hope  fill  you  with  all  joy  and 
peace  in  believing,  that  you  may  abound  in  hope,  through 
the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost' 

"  My  faith  has  been  sorely  tried  of  late,  and  there  have 
been  times  when  I  could  not  cast  myself  upon  God,  or 
trust  the  keeping  of  my  soul  and  body  to  Him — when 
the  enemy  seemed  saying  to  me,  *  Where  is  now  thy  God?' 
(What  a  precious  soul-comforting  psalm  is  that  forty- 
second  !)  The  thought  of  home  made  me  fear  death ;  but 
now,  through  the  mercy  of  the  Lord,  the  cloud  has  passed 
away,  and  I  hope  I  can  trust  in  the  love  and  wisdom  and 
faithfulness  of  my  Saviour  God." 

From  the  foregoing  letters,  we  may  infer  how  intense 
was  the  trial  which  Captain  Hammond  was  called  upon  to 
undergo  during  this  period  of  sickness  and  inaction  in 
camp.  There  can  be  no  doubt,  more  especially  from  his 
own  statements  afterwards,  that  the  bitterness  of  separa- 
tion from  his  wife  and  child  was,  to  the  highest  degree, 
increased  by  the  fear  of  death.  Not  in  the  sense  applicable 
to  those  who  fear  because  they  have  no  hope — ^no  other 
prospect  than  "a  certain  fearful  looking  for  of  judgment." 
His  was  a  hope,  blessed  be  God,  sure  and  steadfast.  But 
there  was  a  deep  longing  for  life — a  burning  thirst  for  a 
return,  that,  if  it  were  possible,  he  might  once  more  see 
his  wife,  his  child,  and  the  home  that  he  loved.  He  looked 
for  a  prolongation  of  life,  in  order  that  this  reluctance  to 


\  \ 


290 


THE  CAMP. 


I 


^•' 


^  N 


acquiesce  so  completely  in  God's  will,  as  to  desire,  notwith- 
standing, that  he  might  depart  and  be  with  Christ,  might 
be  entirely  overcome;  that  he  might,  from  his  heart  and 
without  reservation,  say,  '0  death,  where  is  thy  sting?' 
That  this  prayer  was  abunduitly  answered,  the  sequel  will 
shew.  His  wife,  to  whom  these  letters  were  addressed, 
has  added,  at  the  close  of  one  of  them,  this  note: — 

"When  he  came  home  in  October  1854,  he  alluded  to 
this  time  as  one  of  much  inward  conflict — much  more 
than  he  had  expressed  in  his  letters.  His  desires  after 
home  were  painfully  strong;  and  it  was  a  source  of  deep 
humility  to  him,  that  for  many  days  he  could  not  bring 
his  will  into  subjection  to  God's  will.  He  could  not  feel 
willing  to  be  taken  away  then,  without  seeing  those  he 
loved  once  more.  He  used,  at  this  season,  frequently  to 
rise  and  pray  in  the  middle  of  the  night — pray,  not  for 
life,  but  for  entire  submission.  He  several  times  alluded 
to  it  as  the  time  of  severest  conflict  of  soul  that  he  had  ever 
passed  through." 

To  his  wife: — 

"  Camp,  Monastib,  August  25. 

"  We  are  rather  in  a  bustle  to-day,  in  expectation  of  a 
march  to-morrow.  They  talk  of  our  marching  in  two 
days,  and  carrying  the  whole  of  the  men's  knapsacks  in 
waggons.  The  few  sick  are  to  go  also.  I  have  good 
reason  to  hope  that  cholera  is  disappearing.  ....  What 
is  the  object  of  our  march  to  Varna?  I  cannot'  tell  you. 
It  is  said  the  generals  are  determined  on  Sebastopol.  If 
it  is  so,  you  will  join  ws  in  the  prayer — *  God  speed  us.* 


A  SPECIAL  PROVIDENCE. 


291 


ire,  notwith- 
Ihrist,  might 
is  heart  and 
I  thy  sting?' 
e  sequel  will 
•e  addressed, 
ote: — 

le  alluded  to 
-much  more 
desires  after 
)urce  of  deep 
lid  not  bring 
jould  not  feel 
eing  those  he 
I  frequently  to 
•pray,  not  for 
times  alluded 
at  he  had  ever 


August  25. 

pectation  of  a 
ching  in  two 
knapsacks  in 
I  have  good 
What 


•     •     • 


nnof  tell  you. 
ebastopol.  If 
God  speed  us.' 


May  the  same  all-sufHcient  Saviour,  who  has  sustained  you 
in  peace  in  many  a  dark  and  trying  hour,  enable  you  now 
to  glorify  Him  by  trusting  in  His  unchanging  love.  I 
send  you  Isa.  xli.  14,  compared  with  2  Cor.  xii  9 — '  the 
worm'  and  the  *  weakness.'  ....  We  are  borne  out  by 
Scripture,  I  think,  in  believing  that  a  special  providence 
watches  over  believers,  else  what  is  the  meaning  of  Ps. 
xcL;  Ps.  cxxi;  Matt.  x.  29,  30;  1  Tim.  iv.  10.  And  how 
do  the  angels  minister  to  the  heirs  of  salvation,  if  not  in 
temporal  deliverances,  or  other  little  mercies?    It  was  the 

*  angel  of  God'  who  stood  before  Paul  before  the  ship- 
wreck, promising  that  God  would  save  them  (Acts  xxvli 
23,  24).  And  is  it  not  reasonable  to  suppose  that  the 
angel  directed  the  course  of  the  tempest-tossed  ship,  and 
brought  about  aU  the  circumstances  which  led  to  the  safe 
landing  of  them  all?  So  comfort  yourself  with  the  word 
of  the  Lord,  if  your  heart  is  filled  with  anxiety  and  appre- 
hension about  coming  events;  and  forget  not  that  He,  who 
in  mercy  hath  delivered  your  husband  from  the  pestilence, 
can  equally  deliver  him  from  the  sword. 

"  It  is  believed  that  we  shall  embark  on  Thursday,  so 
all  doubt  is  now  at  an  end  about  the  grand  expedition. 

*  I  have  prayed  for  thee,  that  thy  faith  fail  not.'  The 
details  are  not  fuUy  known,  but  it  is  said  that  we  shall 
embark  some  60,000  or  70,000  men,  including  10,000 
Turks;  effect  a  landing  about  five  miles  from  Sebastopol; 
besiege  Fort  Constantine,  which  commands  the  town  and 
batteries,  and  which,  if  taken,  would  put  us  in  possession 
of  the  place 

"  It  was  a  great  comfort  to  be  left  in  quietness  on  this 
holy  day.     The  communion   was  celebrated.     It  was  a 


292 


THE  CAMP. 


hallowed  season  and  my  soul  enjoyed  some  of  the  sweet- 
ness of  that  fellowship  with  the  Father  and  with  His  Son 
Jesus  Christ  which  He  so  delights  to  impart  To  Him  I 
commend  you/' 

"  Vaena  Harboub, 
"  On  Boabd  the  '  Pride  of  the  Ocean/  ^ 
"  August  29,  1854. 

"  Scarcely  had  the  letters  left  the  camp,  the  day  before 
yesterday,  when  an  order  arrived  for  the  Bifle  Brigade  to 
move  into  Varna,  and  to  embark  next  day.  It  is  difficult  to 
realise  this,  after  all  the  doubts  one  has  had  on  the  subject. 
Varna  is  in  a  state  of  the  most  extraordinary  confusion. 
Everywhere  you  see  the  material  of  war.  The  shore  is 
strewed  with  gabions,  fascines,  rafts,  carts  in  pieces,  &c. 
&c.  The  large  bay  is  filled  with  shipping,  men-of-war, 
and  transports.  The  Guards  and  Highlanders  embarked 
yesterday,  and  the  Artillery  are  all  at  Baltshik.  More 
troops  are  going  on  board  to-day.  .... 

"I  pray  that  you  may  be  kept  from  sinking.  Where 
the  path  of  duty  is  so  plainly  marked  out,  we  must  do  all 
we  can  not  to  give  way.  i  was  reading,  this  morning, 
Ps.  Ivil  The  first  verse  came  with  special  comfort  to  my 
heart — '  Yea,  in  the  shadow  of  thy  wings  Will  I  make  my 
refuge,  until  these  calamities  be  overpast' 


* » 


.m>J  it' 


h. 


THE  UUbPlTALb 


lu^a 


[  the  Bweet- 

ith  His  Son 

To  Him  I 


[S  Ocean/ 

le  day  before 
le  Brigade  to 
:t  is  difficult  to 
3n  the  subject, 
ary  confusion. 
The  shore  is 
in  pieces,  &c. 
5,  men-of-war, 
ders  embarked 
iltshik.    More 

iking.  Where 
we  must  do  all 
this  morning, 
comfort  to  my 
vill  I  make  my 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

"  FoQotaiD  of  life  and  living  breath, 

Whose  meroies  cannot  fail  nor  fiftde. 
Fill  me  with  life  that  hath  no  death; 

Fill  me  with  light  that  bath  no  shade; 
Appoint  the  remnant  of  my  days. 
To  see  Thy  power,  and  sing  Tby  praise." 

In  the  first  days  of  September  1 854,  took  place  that  extra- 
ordinary scene  in  Baltshik  Bay,  the  rendezvous  of  the  allied 
armies.  Swarming  like  midges  upon  the  quiet  surface  of 
the  Euxine,  the  transports  poured  in,  and  took  up  their 
positions;  and  above  them  all  towered  the  mighty  forms 
of  the  Mhips  of  war,  bearing  the  flags  of  France  and  Eng- 
land. Suspense  was  at  an  end;  and  the  troops,  full  of 
liope  and  excitement,  were  at  last  on  the  very  eve  of 
a  mighty  enterprise.  But,  while  the  fresh  sea  breeze 
brought  health,  and  while  excitement- raised  the  spirits  of 
the  army.  Captain  Hammond  fell  ill  A  fever,  caught 
from  the  stagnant  marshes  of  Devna,  had  stricken  him 
down,  at  the  very  moment  when  health  was  most  needed; 
and,  by  the  time  the  expedition  had  reached  Eupatoria, 
he  was  prostrated  with  a  dangerous  illness.  He  writes 
from  on  board  the  Pride  of  the  Ocean,  2d  September: — 


294 


THE  HOSPITAL. 


1  I 


"  We  have  not  yet  left  Varna  Bay.  I  have  not  been 
quite  well;  but  I  think,  however,  that  I  am  a  little  better 
to-day ;  and  I  trust  that,  b^J«**F*»*'s  quinine 
and  the  sea  air,  I  may  be  set  up  before  the  work  begins.  I 
began  to  feel  unwell  on  the  line  of  march,  and  since  then 
have  continued  very  weak.  At  this  particular  time,  any- 
thing in  the  shape  of  illness  is  more  than  usually  trying, 
when  one  wishes  to  be  in  full  possession  of  all  his  bodily 
powers.  But  it  is  part  of  the  discipline  my  heavenly  Father 
sees  fit  to  lay  upon  me ;  and  I  have  been  enabled  to  submit 
myself  to  His  will,  without  doubting  His  wisdom  or  love." 

To  his  father  he  writes  on  September  3d;  and  at  the 
close  of  the  letter,  in  a  tremulous  hand,  says : — 

"  I  shall  send  this  note,  shaky  though  it  is.  The  fact  is, 
I  have  been  far  from  well  for  some  days,  with  slight 
remittent  fever,  and  am  very  weak.  I  hope,  however,  to 
be  set  up  by  the  time  the  work  begins.  The  Lord  teach 
us  all  to  trust  in  Him  at  this  anxious  time/' 


When  the  troops  reached  their  destination,  and  their 
disembarkation  took  place,  Captain  Hammond's  accom- 
panying them  was  impossible.  He  afterwards  described 
his  bodily  sufferings  as  very  great;  but,  he  said,  they  were 
nothing  to  the  intense  anguish  of  mind  he  felt  at  being 
unable  to  accompany  his  men,  when  the  hour  for  action 
had  come.  When  visiting  a  friend,  after  his  return  to 
England  in  January  1855,  he  was  congratulated  on  his 
having  been  prevented  by  fever  from  landing  with  his 
men;  when  he  replied,  with  an  earnestness  never  for- 
gotten by  the  hearer,  "  Oh !  don't  say  that.     You  don't 


FALLS  ILL  WITH  FEVER. 


29i 


i  1 

re  not  been 
little  better 
♦'s  quinine 
:  begins.     I 
d  since  then 
r  time,  any- 
ually  trying, 
ai  his  bodily 
evenly  Father 
led  to  submit 
lom  or  love/' 


» 


and  at  the 


The  fact  is, 
with  slight 
however,  to 
he  Lord  teach 


on,  and  their 
ftond's  accom- 
irds  described 
aid,  they  were 

felt  at  being 
our  for  action 

his  return  to 

ulated  on  his 
iding  with  his 
ess  never  for- 

t.     You  don't 


know  what  it  was  to  me  not  to  be  able  to  go  with  my  men." 
As  his  mind  was  wandering,  under  the  effects  of  fever,  he 
was  not  aware  of  his  own  weakness,  and  more  than  once 
insisted  upon  trying  to  dress,  and  to  make  preparations  for 
the  landing  with  the  troops;  and  he  was  with  difficulty 
prevailed  upon  to  remain  quiet  in  his  berth.  He  was 
ordered  to  remain  on  board ;  and  the  next  mail  brought 
the  following  letter  from  the  colonel  of  the  battalion: — 

"  My  deab  Me  Hammond, — Maxy's  last  letter  will  have 
told  you  that  he  had  not  been  feeling  well.  A  fortnight 
ago,  he  was  obliged  to  put  himself  into  Dr  F  «  «  «'s 
hands.  We  have  discouraged  him  from  making  the  least 
effort;  and  it  is  necessary  to  keep  him  as  quiet  as  pos- 
sible; and,  as   he  may  not   write   for   himself,  I   have 

thought  it  best  to  send  a  few  lines It  is,  indeed, 

a  source  of  additional  regret,  that  we  are  to  lose  the  ser- 
vices of  so  good  a  soldier,  when  we  are  about  to  undertake 
so  important  an  enterprise;  and  dear  Maxy  feels  it  as 
much  as  we  do.  But  his  landing  is  out  of  the  question. 
....  Fortunately  F  *  *  «  accompanied  me ;  which  gave 
Maxy  not  only  a  tender  friend,  but  a  skilful  physician." 

As  soon  as  the  army  had  disembarked,  Captain  Ham- 
mond was  sent  down  to  Scutari,  on  board  the  Kangaroo, 
with  a  large  number  of  sick.  During  that  voyage,  the 
wretched  condition  of  the  unhappy  men,  who  were 
crowded  to  suffocation,  and  most  insufficiently  provided 
with  medical  aid  and  necessaries  of  the  most  ordinary 
kind,  excited  his  sympathy  and  indignation;  and,  when 
sufficiently  recovered,  he  thought  it  his  duty  to  make  an 
OiTicial  representation  on  the  subject. 


296 


THE  HOSPITAL. 


<i 


His  next  letter,  in  a  hand  scarcely  legible^  is  dated 
Scutari,  September  19th : — 

"  Don't  be  frightened  at  my  *  infantine'  style  of  writing. 
This  is  my  first  attempt  since  my  illness.  The  Lord  has 
been  very  gracious  to  me  and  to  you  in  having  raised  me 
up  again.  'Bless  the  Lord,  0  my  soul;  and  all  that  is 
within  me  bless  his  holy  name.  Bless  the  Lord,  0  my 
soul,  and  forget  not  all  his  benefits.'  I  pray  that  the  life 
which  He  has  spared  may  be  more  devoted  to  Him  hence- 
fortL  I  went  with  the  expedition  to  the  Crimea,  and 
stayed  there  until  the  troops  landed,  when  the  whole  of  the  1 
sick  got  an  order  to  go  to  Constantinople.  I  am  so  much 
better,  and  gaining  strength  every  day — Lady  E  «  «  « 
has  been  so  kind  to  me.  Oh,  how  I  longed  to  have  you 
near  me  in  my  illness  !  but  the  Lord  was  my  stay,  and 
the  everlasting  arms  underneath.  ....  How  wonderful 
the  providence  of  God,  that  this  illness  should  have  been 
sent  to  save  me  from  the  dangers  of  Sebastopoll  He 
answers  prayer  in  a  way  we  looked  not  for." 

To  his  mother  he  says: — 

"  Scutari,  September  23, 1854. 

"My  dearest  Mother, — I  am  just  recovering  from 
the  fever,  which  commenced  on  the  line  of  march  about 
Ist  September,  and  which  I  carried  with  me  on  board 
ship.  It  all  seems  like  a  dream ;  but  this  I  know,  that 
the  Lord  has  mercifully  raised  me  up  again,  and  spared 
my  life.  Blessed  be  His  holy  name !  I  am  sure  I  have 
been  very  ill;  but,  though  I  was  not  delirious,  I  have 


SCUTARI  HOSPITAL. 


297 


is  dated 


if  writing. 
i  Lord  has 
raised  me 
all  that  is 
,ord,  0  my 
bat  the  life 
aim  hence- 
Irimea,  and 
irhole  of  the 
im  so  much 
ly  E  *  *  * 
to  have  you 
ly  stay,  and 
sf  wonderful 
Id  have  been 
istopol  I    He 


^  23, 1864. 
sovering  from 
march  about 
me  on  board 
1  I  know,  that 
in,  and  spared 
m  sure  I  have 
lirious,  I  have 


hardly  any  recollection  of  anything,  except  that  I  felt  peace 
in  the  love  of  my  Saviour;  and,  though  I  could  not  lift 
up  my  heart  to  Him,  I  felt  that  all  was  well,  and  that 
underneath  were  the  everlasting  arms.  ....  I  have  no 
fever  now,  but  am  very  weak  both  in  mind  and  body,  as 
you  will  see  by  my  writing.  I  wish  they  would  send  me 
home.  L«««K«ii»  «is  here  sick  of  fever.  There 
are  a  great  number  of  sick  officers  and  men. — Your  most 
aflfectionate  Max." 

The  sad  scenes  in  the  hospital  at  Scutari,  the  mis- 
management of  that  miserable  winter  of  1854-55,  are  no 
new  tale.  Still  it  is  scarcely  possible,  in  these  extracts 
from  the  letters  of  one  who  was  himself  a  sufferer  there, 
to  omit  all  reference  to  the  deplorable  neglect  which 
existed : — 

"  Scutari,  September  28. 

"I  am  certainly  getting  stronger,  but  I  feel 

great  difficulty  in  writing ;  and  in  the  afternoon  my  feet 
get  numbed,  as  if  they  had  been  crushed  under  a  roller. 
What  they  mean  to  do  with  us,  I  don't  know.  There  are 
hardly  any  medical  officers  to  attend  us.  I  have  not  seen 
a  doctor  for  three  days.  The  hospital  and  barracks  are 
filled  with  sick  and  wounded  men.  Fancy  90  officers, 
and  about  1900  men,  killed  and  wounded  in  the  engage- 
ment. The  poor  fellows  are  sadly  neglected.  A  man  of 
ray  company,  with  a  grape-shot  through  his  calf,  has  been 
eight  days  in  hospital,  and  no  doctor  has  been  near  him 
to  dress  his  wound.  It  is  a  sad  sight  to  see  the  poor 
fellows  lying  there.  The  passages,  as  w  "^11  as  the  wards, 
are  all  filled.     Oh,  the  scourge  of  war.'     Lord,  send  us 


^^ 


298 


THE  HOSPITAL. 


(( 


peace,  in  thy  great  mercy.  I  have  some  hopes  of  being 
sent  home,  but  the  doctors  seem  too  busy  to  attend  to 
anything.  .... 

"  I  have  been  enabled  to  speak  a  word  to  several  of 
the  sick  officers,  and  I  find  that  their  hearts  are  much 
softened,  and  ready  to  hear.  Pray  for  me,  that  I  may  not 
be  ashamed  to  confess  my  dear  Lord  and  Saviour,  who 
loved  me,  and  gave  Himself  for  me.  I  hope  I  can  truly 
say  He  is  precious  to  me.  In  my  weakness,  I  have  felt 
Him  near  me,  though  I  could  not  pray,  or  raise  my 
thoughts  above. 

"  September  29. — I  have  seen  my  doctor,  who  says  that 
he  shall  recommend  me  to  appear  before  a  medical  board, 
for  the  purpose  of  being  sent  home.  There  may  be,  and 
possibly  will  be,  great  delay,  or  I  may  be  disappointed 
altogether;  so  don't  set  your  heart  on  seeing  me,  but 
be  content  patiently  to  wait  ?n  the  Lord,  who  will  order 
my  steps  aright  whether  I  go  or  remain.  I  dare  not 
let  myself  think  of  meeting;  such  joy  seems  too  great 
to  be  fulfilled.  My  feet  are  very  weak.  I  lose  all  sensa- 
tion in  them  about  the  middle  of  the  day,  and  they  ache 
most  acutely. 

"  W  «  *  *  is  here  with  a  wound  in  the  leg;  the  ball 
entered  the  knee,  and  came  out  about  half-way  up  the 
underside  of  the  thigh.  Providentially,  no  bone  is  touched, 
and  he  ic  doing  very  well  Tell  C  «  «  •  this.  War  is 
a  horrible  reality.  ....  Words  cannot  express  how  I 
long  to  see  you  and  our  sweet  little  Nina.  ....  There 
are  almost  2500  sick  and  wounded  in  the  hospital  and 
barracks,  and  not  more  than  20  doctors  to  attend  them. 
.,...•  Farewell. 


LETTEH  TO  HIS  WIFE. 


299 


E  being 
tend  to 

veral  of 
re  much 
may  not 
our,  who 
;an  truly 
have  felt 
raise  my 

says  that 
Lcal  board, 
ay  be,  and 
aappointed 
V  me,  but 
will  order 
I  dare  not 
1  too  great 
3  all  sensa- 
l  they  ache 

eg;  the  ball 
way  up  the 
e  is  touched, 
is.     War  is 
)ress  how  I 
.  .  There 
hospital  and 
attend  them. 


To  his  wife : — 

"  Barracks,  Scutari,  October  2. 

"Since  I  last  wrote,  another  sick  officer  has 

arrived.  It  has  .been  quite  a  providential  thing  his  being 
sent  here,  for  I  found  out  the  first  evening  f;hat  he  was 
under  deep  concern  about  his  soul,  the  Lord  having 
touched  his  heart  during  his  illness.  I  have  had  many 
deeply  interesting  conversations  with  him,  and  he  seems 
most  eager  to  receive  the  truth,  and  to  give  his  heart  to 
God.  He  is,  as  might  be  expected,  very  ignorant  of  the 
gospel  scheme.  I  have  read  with  him,  and  he  listens 
eagerly  to  the  Word  of  God.  He  has  had  cholera,  which 
has  reduced  him  very  low.  Yesterday  (Sunday)  the 
chaplain  came  to  us  a  little  before  ten,  and  gave  us  a 
faithful  exhortation  to  repentance — the  difference  between 
the  repentance  of  fear,  and  the  repentance  of  love 

"  I  had  a  visit  to-day  from  Mr  T  «  «  «,  the  Free  Kirk 
missionary  to  the  Jews  here.  He  read  the  first  part  of 
Eom.  V.  to  us,  and  commented  very  beautifully  and  clearly 
upon  it,  and  prayed  with  us 

"  The  doctors  say  I  am  to  go  before  a  board  to-morrow. 
If  so,  I  may  perhaps  get  home  by  the  packet  of  the  10th. 
But  we  must  not  build  our  hopes  on  such  a  joyful  pro- 
spect, nor  be  unprepared  for  disappointment 

"  October  3. — The  Board  has  examined  me,  and  pro- 
nounce me  to  be  a  fit  case  to  go  home !  God  grant  that 
w^e  may  meet  in  the  fulness  of  the  blessing  of  the  gospel 
of  Christ,  with  the  one  supreme  desire  that  we  may  glorify 

God,  and  live  more  wholly  to  Him My  companion 

im[)roves  in  lioallh,  I  tliiiik,  slowly.     I  read  to  him,  and 


soo 


THE  HOSPITAL. 


last  night  offered  to  pray  with  him ;  and  I  have  got  him 
a  reference  Bible  from  the  dep6t  of  the  Bible  Society  at 
Constantinople.  God  grant  that  the  good  work  may  go 
forward  in  him.  Oh,  how  I  shall  rejoice  to  leave  the 
wards  of  this  barrack !  Yet,  God  be  praised,  goodness 
and  mercy  have  followed  me  even  here.  .  . 


»» 


"Scutari,  OdoSer  4,  1854. 

"  My  dearest  Father, —  ....  The  board  of  medical 
officers  examined  me  yesterday,  and  pronounced  me  a  fit 
case  to  go  home ;  to  which  I  did  not  object.  I  trust  and 
believe  I  am  in  the  path  of  duty  pointed  out  by  the  pro- 
vidence of  God;  for  the  matter  has  been  so  completely 
settled  for  me,  that  I  do  feel  it  has  not  been  my  own 
choice  or  doing.  I  am  sure  I  cannot  be  fit  for  duty  with 
my  regiment  in  the  Crimea  this  autumn;  nor  am  I  likely 
to  be  fit  for  work  for  some  time,  if  I  remain  in  this 
country.  I  am  much  better;  my  feet  are  my  chief  trouble, 
but  improving  daily.  Still  I  am  kept  lying  down,  and 
not  yet  able  to  walk  beyond  a  few  steps.  For  some jiays 
the  suffering  was  acute  day  and  night;  but  I  have  been 
mercifully  relieved  of  pain,  ph,  the  joy  of  returning  home 
to  you  all!  I  can  scarcely  realise  it;  it  seems  too  good 
to  be  possible.  What  abundant  cause  have  I  for  thank- 
fulness to  the  Father  of  mercies  !  .  .  .  . 

"  By  the  latest  accounts  from  the  army,  our  battalion 
and  the  88th  have  taken  the  fort  and  town  where  they 
landed  the  sici^e  train.  The  attack  on  Sebastopol  was  to 
commence  on  the  iid.  The  battalion  has  been  always  to 
the  front,  and  without  much  loss." 

A  little  delay  occurred  after  the  sitting  of  the  Board 


ATTENDS  TO  THE  WOUNDED. 


301 


^e  got  him 
Society  at 
3rk  may  go 
)  leave  the 
d,  goodness 


n 


"  4,  1854). 

I  of  medical 
iced  me  a  fit 

I  trust  and 
,  by  the  pro- 
0  completely 
»een  my  own 
for  duty  with 
)r  am  I  likely 
jmain  in  this 

chief  trouble, 
ig  down,  and 
'or  somejiays 

I I  have  been 
Bturning  home 
iems  too  good 
^e  I  for  thank- 

our  battalion 
wn  where  they 
jastopol  was  to 
been  always  to 

of  the  Board 


and  Captain  Hammond  could  not  avail  himself  of  the 
packet  of  the  10th. 

"  BARRAC3K8,  ScUTARi,  October  9,  1854. 

"  I  feel  you  will  be  sadly  disappointed  at  receiving  only 
my  writing  instead  of  myself.  ....  And  now  I  hope  to 
be  able  to  go  by  the  steamer  of  the  15th.  *  Hope  deferred 
maketh  the  heart  sick.'  Nevertheless,  this  little  disap- 
pointment may  be  good  to  chasten  our  joy,  and  keep  us 
from  being  over-elated.  Let  us  always  try  to  trace  the 
hand  of  God  in  every  event  of  our  lives;  this  will  sweeten 
every  pleasure,  and  give  comfort  and  peace  in  sorrow.  .  .  . 

"There  is  a  delightful  spirit  of  Christian  union  and 
love  among  all  the  evangelical  ministers  at  Constantinople 
— a  lovely  exhibition  of  the  oneness  of  Christ's  Church, 
however  differing  in  outward  things — a  true  and  practical 
*  Evangelical  Alliance.' 

"My  comrade  «  «  «  has  gone  over  to  Pera,  and  I 
don't  think  he  will  return  here.  He  is  much  better  as  to 
bodily  health;  and  I  trust  that  what  seemed  to  be  a  work 
of  grace  begun  in  him  will  go  on  unto  perfection.     If  it 

is  the  Lord's  work,  it  will Among  other  reasons 

which  reconcile  me  to  staying  here  a  few  days  longer  is 
this,  that  I  am  now  well  enough  to  be  able  to  look  a  little 
after  our  poor  sick  and  wounded  men,  many  of  whom 
are  without  any  change  of  linen,  and  even  without  soap. 
Owing  to  the  want  of  system  and  arrangement,  many  poor 
fellows  have  been  kept  for  days  without  food ;  and  I  verily 
believe  that  a  large  number  have  died  from  exhaustion, 
from  want  of  feeding  and  proper  nursing.  .  .  .  Farewell 
The  Lord  give  us  both  patience  to  wait  His  will." 


/ 


302 


THE  HOSPITAL. 


Captain  Hammond  got  a  passage  on  board  the  steamer 
of  the  loth,  and  landed  in  England  early  in  October.  His 
delight  at  returning  home  is  expressed  in  a  letter  to  a 
friend : — 

"Great  indeed  have  been  the  Lord's  tender 

mercies  to  me.  I  feel  that  words  cannot  express  all  I 
owe;  and  when  I  say,  'What  shall  I  render  unto  the 
Lord?'  I  feel  I  cannot  make  Him  any  other  return  than 
thankfully  to  receive  the  cup  of  salvation  and  call  upon 
His  name.  What  a  mercy  to  have  been  spared  the  dread- 
ful scenes  and  deeds  that  have  been  and  are  still  going  on 
at  the  seat  of  war  ! — ^though  sometimes  I  feel  anxious  to 
be  sharing  those  dangers  with  my  fnends  and  comrades. 
At  the  same  time,  I  cannot  but  feel  thankful  to  be  re- 
moved from  the  dreadful  realities  of  war,  and  to  find 
myself  restored  to  my  precious  wife  and  all  my  dear 
friends  and  relations  at  home 

"  It  is  said  that  «  «  «  has  become  a  decided  Christian 
lately.  God  grant  that  it  may  indeed  be  so.  We  must 
not  limit  the  Holy  One  of  Israel.  The  remembrance  that 
such  were  some  of  us,  should  silence  every  difficulty  with 
regard  to  others  being  brought  into  the  fold. 

"  Did  you  know  poor  T  ♦  ♦  ♦  ?  What  a  glorious 
change  for  him,  from  the  din  and  tumult  of  battle  to  the 
realms  of  peace  and  the  immediate  presence  of  Jesus ! 
He  has  left  a  lasting  remembrance  of  his  Christian 
labours  in  this  place,  where  he  was  quartered  for  four 
years.  Our  dear  colonel  had  a  providential  escape  at 
Inkeimann:  two  shots  through  his  coat.  Who  says  that 
'man  is  immortal  till  his  work  is  done?'     It  is  doubly 


JOY  ON  KEACHIKG  EK GLAND. 


303 


I  steamer 
3er.  His 
tter  to  a 


I's  tender 
ress  all  I 

unto  the 
jtum  than 

call  upon 
the  dread- 
11  going  on    , 

anxious  to     * 
L  comrades. 
1  to  be  re- 
md  to  find 
U  my  dear 

3d  Christian 
We  must 
ibrance  that 
iculty  with 

a  glorious 
)attle  to  the 
[e  of  Jesus  I 

Christian 
ted  for  four 

escape  at 
|ho  says  that 
lit  is  doubly 


true  of  the  believer.     *  There  shall  not  an  hair     '  your 
head  perish. 


>  >> 


And  to  his  brother: — 

"  Dover,  Sunday  Night. 

"  My  dearest  H  «  «  ♦, — I  have  written  to  tell  you 
of  my  safe  arrival  here  on  Friday  evening.  Imagine  my 
joy  and  deep  gratitude  to  the  Father  of  all  mercies.  He 
has  indeed  '  brought  me  up  out  of  an  horrible  pit  and  the 
miry  clay,'  and  'has  put  a  new  song  into  my  mouth,  even 
praise  unto  my  God.'    The  feeling  that  I  cannot  praise 

and  thank  Him  enough  is  almost  oppressive I 

bless  His  holy  name  for  the  love  and  sympathy  of  so 
many  of  His  dear  people,  whose  prayers  have  been  offered 
for  me  contiiiuaJy;  and  I  feel  assured  that  my  return  in 
safety  and  in  peace  is  in  answer  to  those  prayers." 

Thus,  even  through  a  rough  and  stony  road,  through 
sickness  and  suffering,  God  graciously  answered  the  prayer 
that  constantly  rose  to  Maxy  Hammond's  lips,  and  from 
his  heart,  during  the  long  days  of  that  Bulgarian  summer. 
He  looked  himself  upon  that  sickness,  in  connexion  with 
his  fear  of  death,  which  we  have  before  alluded  to,  as  expe- 
rienced by  him  in  Bulgaria;  and  contrasting  it  with  the 
inward  peace  which  he  felt  during  his  illness,  he  believed 
it  was  sent  in  order  to  manifest  to  him  the  Lord's  grace  as 
sufficient  for  him  in  his  weakness. 

Home,  his  wife,  and  his  child  were  before  him  once 
more.  "  Thou  hast  given  him  his  heart's  desire,  and  hast 
not  withholden  the  request  of  his  lips."  Joyful  indeed 
was  that  return  to  his  father's  roof.     Yet  but  a  little 


304 


THE  HOSPITAL. 


longer,  a  few  short  months,  and  another  horn  "5  would  be 
his.  "In  my  Father's  house  are  many  mansions;"  and 
with  that  one  family  already  gathered  there,  his  place 
would  soon  be  found.  But,  short  as  the  time  was,  there 
was  trial  yet  for  the  Christian  soldier,  sore  enough,  to 
come.  ' 

On  Captain  Hammond's  recovery  from  his  illness,  his 
first  thought  was  to  devote  himself  more  entirely  than  ever 
to  the  Lord.  "What  shall  I  say?"  was  the  outpouring  of 
his  soul ;  "  he  hath  both  spoken  unto  me,  and  himself  hath 
done  it:  I  shall  go  softly  all  my  years.  Thou  hast,  in 
love  to  my  soul,  delivered  it  from  the  pit  of  comiption. 
The  living,  the  living  he  shall  praise  thee,  as  I  do  this 
day."  Many  years  before,  as  we  have  mentioned,  he  had 
conceived  the  idea  of  entering  the  ministry.  Now  that 
desire  returned  with  tenfold  force.  For  some  time  past 
he  had  felt  the  deadening  pressure  of  camp  life.  Like 
just  Lot,  his  soul  was  vexed  with  the  filthy  conversation 
of  the  wicked.  He  loathed  war  in  itself;  and  he  longed 
to  withdraw  from  the  red  field  of  slaughter,  that  he  might 
preach  the  gospel  of  peace.  From  MonastW',  he  had 
written,  in  the  August  previous,  "  I  must  confess  to  you 
that  I  feel  sick  of  my  profession,  and  long  to  be  otherwise 
employed.  Camp  life  is  uphill  work  for  a  Christian ;  and, 
though  the  fault  lies  mainly  with  myself,  there  are  so 
many  difficulties  and  impediments  to  doing  good  that  it 
seems  next  to  impossible  to  do  anything."  There  was 
also  in  his  nature  an  innate  repugnance  to  the  scenes  of 
the  battle-field.  Long  before  the  war,  while  once  talking 
of  the  battle  of  Waterloo,  and  of  the  numbers  that  fell,  he 
said,  "  He  hoped  that  there  were  many  who  went  to  glory 


)  I         « 

I  would  be 
ions,"  and 
hU  place 
)  was,  there 
enough,  to 

i  illness,  his 
jly  than  ever 
atpouring  of 
himself  hath 
hou  hast,  in 
{  conniption, 
as  t  do  this 
ioned,  he  had 
^.     Now  that 
[ne  time  past 
ip  life.    Like 
J  conversation 
ind  he  longed 
that  he  might 
astW,   he  had 
jonfess  to  you 
,0  be  otherwise 
Ihristian;  and, 
^  there  are  so 
(f  good  that  it 
There  was 
the  scenes  of 
lg  once  talking 
lers  that  fell,  he 
0  went  to  glory 


REPUGNANCE  TO  THE  -EVIL  PASSIONS  OF  WAR.      30-5 

from  that  field  of  battle,'*  and  then  added,  "  It  was  not  a 
desirable  death  for  a  Christian,  since  the  excitement  was 
calculated  to  stir  up  the  evil  passions  of  the  heart;"  and 
afterwards,  when  he  heard  of  Captain  Vicars'  death,  he 
said,  "  It  is  a  painful  thought  that  his  mind  was  excited 
at  the  time  leading  his  men  against  the  Russians,  in 
repelling  a  sortie."  And  on  his  return  from  Scutari,  when 
one  said  that  a  field  of  battle  must  be  an  opportunity  for 
the  exercise  of  a  Christian  state  of  mind,  he  replied,  "  He 
thought  not.  It  would  be  a  letting  loose  of  all  the  evil  of 
the  natural  man."  Then  came  the  struggle — "  Is  this  the 
path  of  duty?  Ought  I,  at  such  a  time,  upon  any  call, 
however  strong,  to  leave  those  with  whom  I  have  cast  in 
ray  lot?  Bitter,  indeed,  repugnant  to  my  very  nature,  these 
scenes  of  suffering,  Of  horror,  and  of  sin ;  and  yet  *  The 
cup  that  my  Father  hath  given  me,  shall  I  not  drink  it?'*' 
He  even  went  so  far  towards  this  step  as  to  have  an  inter- 
view with  the  Archbishop  of  Canterbury,  who  kindly  con- 
sented to  ordain  him.  But  he  felt,  as  the  war  thickened, 
that  the  way  was  more  and  more  closed  against  him,  and 
his  mind  was  made  up.  On  the  morning  on  which  he 
sailed  for  the  Crimea,  he  said,  "  I  have  no  regret  at  my 
determination  lot  to  take  orders;  I  feel  that  my  path  of 
duty  lies  in  the  army,  whether  for  life  or  death." 
In  a  letter  to  his  brother,  May  7,  1855,  he  says: — 

"You  ask  me  about  leaving  the  army.  My  feeling 
now  is,  and  for  some  time  has  been,  that  I  could  not  leave 
on  the  score  of  health,  though  I  am  not  as  strong  as  I 
used  to  be;  and  I  do  not  feel  at  liberty  to  leave  for  any 
other  reason  at  such  a  crisis.     The  path  of  duty  seems 

V 


306 


THE  HOSPITAL. 


plain  before  me — to  return,  in  due  time,  to  share  the 
labours  of  the  army  in  the  field,  whenever  called  upoii  to 
do  80." 

Closing  a  note  to  a  friend,  with  some  observations  on  our 
opportunities  for  action  wherever  we  may  be,  he  says : — 

"  Doubtless  there  is  work  for  you  to  do  where  you  are. 
May  we  know  more  fully  what  it  is  to  live  by  the  faith  of 
the  Son  of  God !  It  is  easy  to  make  resolutions,  and  to 
wiite  them;  but  how  difficult  to  perform  them!  How 
much  there  was  in  those  last  words  of  Haldane  Stewart — 
*  I  have  not  got  beyond,  "  God  be  merciful  to  me  a  sin- 
ner 1" '  We  shall  never  go  beyond  our  need  of  the  con- 
stant prayer,  *  Lord,  increase  our  faith.'  These  two  prayers 
will  keep  us  in  our  right  place — sinners  looking  to  Jesus." 

"Did  you  read,"  he  says,  in  another  note  about  this 
time,  "  a  letter  in  the  Times  bearing  noble  testimony  to 
the  gallantry  and  Christian  character  of  young  Vicars? 

Such  men  are  rare,  and  their  place  not  easily 

filled." 

The  spring  and  summer  of  1855  was  passed  by  him 
partly  at  his  home,  and  partly  at  Southsea,  where  he  had 
taken  a  house,  and  was  stationed  in  command  of  the 
depot.  His  earnestness  in  doing  his  Master's  work  at 
this  time,  especially  attracted  the  observations  of  his 
friends.  The  first  Sunday,  he  went  to  the  clergyman  to 
ask  if  he  could  be  of  use  in  the  school,  being  unable,  in 
consequence  of  the  distance,  to  undertake  both  the  hospi- 
tiil  and  the  school,  which  he  had  previously  established  in 


i 


LABOUBS  IN  THE  SCHOOL  AND  HOSPITAL. 


307 


to  share  the 
died  upon  to 


nations  on  our 

1,  he  says: — 

here  you  are. 
y  the  faith  of 
ations,  and  to 
them  1  How 
me  Stewart — 

to  me  a  sin- 
jd  of  the  con- 
se  two  prayers 
dng  to  Jesus." 
ite  about  this 

testimony  to 
'oung  Vicars? 
ice  not  easily 


3sed  by  him 
irhere  he  had 

land  of  the 
ter's  work  at 
Ltions  of  his 
[clergyman  to 

ig  unable,  in 
[th  the  hospi- 

jstablished  iu 


the  spring  at  Fort  Cumberland  for  the  children  of  the 
dep6t.  At  the  hospital  he  attended  every  Sunday  after- 
noon, and,  though  still  sufifering  in  his  feet  from  the 
effects  of  the  Bulgarian  fever,  he  always  walked  to  Fort 
Cumberland  and  back  (between  three  and  four  miles). 
He  was  very  earnest  and  diligent  as  a  Sunday  school 
teacher,  always  preparing  his  lesson  the  day  before,  and 
making  the  children  the  subject  of  prayer. 

At  these  Sunday  visits  to  the  hospital,  Maxy  Hammond 
conducted  a  service  for  the  sick,  with  the  chaplain's  per- 
mission. He  used  to  read  a  portion  of  the  Liturgy,  and 
then  expound  some  portion  of  Scripture.  He  valued  these 
opportunities  extremely,  and  used  to  say,  he  could  get  at 
the  men  better,  and  speak  to  them  more  familiarly  and 
personally  than  at  any  other  time.  During  the  spring 
and  summer  of  1855,  there  was  an  average  attendance  of 
sixteen — some  who  had  been  in  the  Crimea,  and  some 
about  to  go  there ;  and  he  found  men  thus  circumstanced 
ready  listeners.  After  this  service,  he  would  read  and 
pray  separately  with  any  who  were  seriously  ill,  and  con- 
fined to  their  beds.  But  he  was  not  intended  to  remain 
here  much  longer.  The  siege  of  Sebastopol,  like  the 
horse-leech,  was  crying,  Give,  give  I  and  the  blood  that 
flowed  freely  required  re-placing. 

Harly  in  April,  he  writes  the  next  note: — 

"  My  deabest  Father, — An  order  came  down  this  day 
week  for  1  captain,  4  subalterns,  6  sergeants,  and  200 
men,  to  be  held  in  readiBoss  for  immediate  embarkation 
for  Malta.  E  «  «  «  has  written  to  General  Wetherall, 
to  know  whether  he  wishes  to  retain  me  to  command  the 


308 


';v.4 


J  THE  HOSPITAL. 


1. 


dep6t.     No  answei  has  been  received It  is  most 

worrying  to  be  in  such  a  state  of  uncertainty,  as  I  can- 
not make  my  preparations  for  going  out.  As  for  myself, 
I  am  quite  willing  to  go  or  remain,  only  I  wish  they 
would  tell  me  oneway  or  the  other.  ....  There  is  com- 
fort in  knowing,  amidst  all  these  changes  of  outward  life 
that  there  is  an  unseen  hand  guiding  and  directing  all. 
If  only  we  acknowledge  Him  in  all,  He  will  surely  direct 

our  steps  aright.'' 

.#j-  mi 
«  Fort  Cumberland,  April  17. 

"  My  dear  Father, — .  ....  After  all,  another  officer 
is  ordered  to  go  out,  as  they  wish  to  detain  me  at  the 

dep6t Though  I  am  quite  ready  to  go  abroad 

when  called  upon,  I  must  own  I  am  thankful,  on  many 
accounts,  to  be  left  at  home  in  peace.  The  Crimea  is  not 
a  destination  to  be  desired.  I  fear  there  is  little  doubt 
that  warlike  operations  will  last  there  long  enough,  to 
give  one  full  time  to  take  part  in  them  sooner  or  later. 
Therefore,  I  need  be  in  no  hurry  to  get  thera  My  rule 
always  has  been,  and  I  believe  always  will  be,  never  to 
ask  for  a  thing;  but  I  hope  I  never  shall  be  an  idle 
soldier  as  long  as  I  am  one  at  all." 

Scarcely  ten  days  later,  and  he  writes  again  in  sus- 
pense:— 

"  My  dearest  M  *  *  *, — This  morning  an  order  was 
received  from  the  Crimea  for  three  captains  and  twelve 
subalterns,  to  go  i'n  mediately.  The  only  three  available 
captains  are  N  #  ♦  ♦,  W  *  *  ♦,  and  myself;  so  I  be- 
lieve I  must  really  go  this  time.     E  «  «  «  has  gone 


SUSPENSE,  m 


309 


.  .  It  is  most 
ainty,  as  I  can- 
As  for  myself, 
ly  I  wish  they 
,  There  is  com- 
)f  outward  life 
id  directing  all. 
ill  surely  direct 

JD,  April  17. 
1,  another  officer 
itain  me  at  the 
f  to  go  abroad 
mkful,  on  many 
le  Crimea  is  not 
B  is  little  doubt 
fong  enough,  to 

sooner  or  later, 
thera  My  rule 
ill  be,  never  to 

hall  be  an  idle 


B  again  in  sus- 

ig  an  order  was 
ains  and  twelve 
three  available 
lyself ;  so  I  be- 
f  «  *  has  gone 


to-day  to  London,  to  learn  what  arrangements  are  to  be 

made ;  and  he  promised  to  telegraph :  so  I  hope  to  hear 

to-morrow.     'The  lot  is  cast  into  the  lap,  but  (blessed 

be  our  covenant  God)  the  whole  disposing  thereof  is  of  the 

Lord.' — Ever  your  most  aflfeetionate 

«  M.  M.  H." 

,  But  there  was  yet  another  change;  tne  order  was 
countermanded,  and  the  immediate  prospect  of  embarka- 
tion removed.  Painful,  indeed,  as  all  this  uncertainty 
must  have  been,  it  was  but  a  further  exercise  of  faith — a 
further  refinement  of  the  gold  in  the  furnace — a  further 
retouching  and  repolishing  the  jewel,  that  was  needed  to 
fit  it  for  the  Saviour's  crown.  At  such  a  season,  espe- 
cially, Captain  Hammond  could  sympathise  with  one  who 
was  then  a  weeping  mother,  and  exhort  her  to  bear  a 
sorrow  kindred  to  his  own,  but  deeper  still: — 

"  if  at/ 16,  1855.  V 
•*My  dear  Mrs  H  ♦  *  ♦, — I  wished  to  be  able  to 
tell  you  when  I  wrote  how  the  matter  had  been  decided. 
Nothing  is  to  be  done  at  present  about  sending  officers 
out;  so  we  are  left  in  suspense.  I  had  hoped  to  see  you 
as  the  summer  approaches;  but,  in  these  changing  and 

troublous  times,  no  future  plans  can  be  made The 

loss  of  your  precious  boy  makes  me  feel  how  watchful  we 
ought  to  be  not  to  make  an  idol  of  a  child,  seeing  that 
they  may  be  snatched  away  in  a  moment.     But — 

"  *  Oh  not  in  anger  nor  in  wrath  * 

The  reaper  came  that  day;  - ^^  - 

'  "         Twas  an  angel  visited  the  green  earth, 
And  took  the  flower  away.'  * 


1  f 


310 


THE  HOSPITAL. 


The  sweet  boy  is  far  above  the  reach  of  the  turmoil  and 
trouble  of  this  world  of  sin.  Our  heavenly  Father 
knoweth  that  we  have  need  of  these  things — the  chas- 
tisement as  well  as  the  joys.  We  must  have  tribulation, 
if  we  would  enter  the  kingdom.  You  must  give  up  a 
child,  and  my  wife  and  I  must  have  separations  and 
seasons  of  bitter  trial  and  anxiety.  But,  whatever  our 
trials  may  be,  let  us  realise  more  fully  the  love  and 
wisdom  that  orders  all,  and  then  we  shall  be  able  even 
to  kiss  the  rod. — ^Tour  sincere  fnend, 


X- 


THE  HABBmOER. 


311 


CHAPTER  XX. 

* 

"  While  the  labour  lasted,  while  the  race  was  ranning, 
Many  times  the  sinews  ached  and  half  refused  the  stmggla* 

But  soon  all  would  be  quietness 

Hope  was  glad  at  the  beginning,  and  fear  was  sad  midway^ 
Bat  sweet  fruition  cometh  at  the  end." 

In  the  early  part  of  August  1855,  after  all  these  orders 
and  counter-orders,  the  fiat  was  issued  that  was  at  last  to 
send  Maxy  Hammond  forth  to  finish  the  work  that  had 
been  appointed  for  him  here.  Was  he  indeed,  through 
the  darkness  and  doubt  that  clouded  his  last  autumn 
mornings,  permitted  to  see  in  their  near  reality  the  eternal 
towers  ?  Did  he,  like  the  Idumean  inquirer,  through  the 
dim  twilight  of  time,  seek  for  the  morning  ?  "  Watchman, 
what  of  the  night?  watchman,  what  of  the  night?"  If 
so,  doubtless,  the  answer  was  vouchsafed  to  him — "The 
morning  cometh '' — ^the  night  was  indeed  far  spent,  and 
the  day  was  at  hand. 

On  the  9th  of  August  his  father,  his  mother,  one  brother, 
and  one  sister,  went  down  to  Southsea.  On  Friday, 
August  10,  Maxy  read  with  his  wife  for  the  last  time 
1  Pet.  i.  1-8.  After  the  passage  had  been  read,  he  repeated 
to  himself,  "  incorruptible,  undefiled,  and  that  fadeth  not 


i 


312 


THE  HABBINGEB. 


away."  He  then  said  he  had  chosen  a  verse  for  his  wife, 
"  Who  id  this  that  cometh  up  from  the  wilderness,  leaning 
on  her  beloved  ?"  And  said,  that  was  the  attitude  of  soul 
4hat  we  should  seek  after.  It  had  been  settled  that  the 
rest  of  his  family  should  come  on  that  morning  at  nine  to 
breakfast:  so  that  he,  with  his  wife,  had  a  quiet  time  for 
prayer  before  they  arrived.  They  knelt  together  in  the 
drawing-room.  He  prayed  for  his  wife,  that  the  removal 
of  earthly  joy  might  the  more  endear  to  her  her  God  and 
her  Saviour.  The  impression  on  his  mind  seemed  that  of 
a  very  long  separation  as  before  them,  and  he  used  the 
expression,  "  Give  her  wisdom  and  grace  to  train  up  her 
child  in  the  nurture  and  admonition  of  the  Lord,"  as 
though  she  were  going  to  bring  it  up  herself.  In  the 
same  prayer  he  said,  "  Thou  hast  given  us  life :  none  can 
take  away  that  life  until  thou  dost  thyself  recall  it." 
%  In  the  previous  year,  February  1854,  when  on  the  eve 
of  embarkation,  at  a  season  precisely  analogous  to  this, 
with  all  the  uncertain  future  before  him,  he  made  use  of 
a  very  remarkable  expression,  treasured  up  by  us  all, 
which  perhaps  comes  more  home  to  us  now,  and  will  find 
its  place  most  seasonably  here.  He  was  sitting  with  his 
wile  before  the  evening  service;  and,  speaking  of  the 
coming  trials  and  the  dangers  of  war,  he  said,  •'  I  know 
the  anxiety  you  will  feel ;  but  one  cannot  be  anxious  about 
one's  self,  for  I  feel  I  am  so  entirely  in  God's  hands,"  and 
then  he  added,  with  a  calm  solemnity  of  tone,  and  as  if 
weighing  every  word,  "  and  if  God  should  see  fit  to  take 
me  in  that  manner,  sudden  death  is  to  the  believer  but 
sudden  glory." 
,  The  St  Albans  party,  his  father,  mother,  brother,  and 


4i» 


ae&i 


Hi 


HIS  LAST  PRAYER  WITE  HIS  FAMILY. 


313 


erse  for  his  wife, 
ilderness,  leaning 
3  attitude  of  soul 
settled  that  the 
oming  at  nine  to 
a  quiet  time  for 
together  in  the 
that  the  removal 
her  her  God  and 
id  seemed  that  of 
and  he  used  the 
e  to  train  up  her 
of  the  Lord,"  as 
herself.     In  the 
as  life :  none  can 
If  recall  it." 
when  on  the  eve 
nalogous  to  this, 
,  he  made  use  of 
up  by  us  all, 
LOW,  and  will  find 
sitting  with  his 
speaking  of  the 
le  said,  "  I  know 
be  anxious  about 
iod's  hands,"  and 
»f  tone,  and  as  if 
Id  see  fit  to  take 
the  believer  but 

lier,  brother,  and 


sister,  arrived.  They  were  all  in  the  dining-room.  The 
servants  came  in.  There  was  a  depth  of  feeling  and  a  calm 
dignity  in  Maxy's  manner  which  was  very  striking.  All 
present  felt  it.  He  said  to  his  brother  E  «  «  «,  a  clergy- 
man, "  E  «  «  «,  you  must  let  me  be  my  own  priest  to-day, 
please,"  and  he  then  read  the  121st  and  125th  Psalms,  "I 
will  lift  mine  eyes  unto  the  hills  from  whence  cometh 
my  help.  My  help  cometh  from  the  Lord,  which  made 
heaven  and  earth.  He  will  not  suffer  thy  foot  to  be 
moved :  he  that  keepeth  thee  will  not  slumber.  Behold 
he  that  keepeth  Israel  shall  neither  slumber  nor  sleep. 
Tlie  Lord  is  thy  keeper,  the  Lord  is  thy  shade  upon  thy 
right  hand.  The  sun  shall  not  smite  thee  by  day,  nor  the 
moon  by  night  The  Lord  shall  preserve  thee  from  all 
evil :  he  shall  preserve  thy  soul.  The  Lord  shall  preserve 
thy  going  out  and  thy  coming  in  from  this  time  forth, 
and  even  for  evermore."  "  They  that  trust  in  the  Lord 
shaL  be  as  Mount  Zion,  which  cannot  be  removed,  but 
abideth  for  ever.  As  the  mountains  are  round  about 
Jerusalem,  so  the  Lord  is  round  about  his  people  from 
henceforth  even  for  ever.  For  the  rod  of  the  wicked  shall 
not  rest  upon  the  lot  of  the  righteous,  lest  the  righteous 
put  forth  their  hands  unto  iniquity.  Do  good,  0  Lord, 
unto  those  that  be  good,  and  to  them  that  are  upright  in 
their  hearts.  As  for  such  as  turn  aside  unto  their  crooked 
ways,  the  Lord  shall  lead  them  forth  with  the  workers  of 
iniquity :  but  peace  shall  be  upon  Israel" 

Those  who  were  present  will  never  forget  the  calming 
and  solemnising  effect  of  his  beautiful  prayer:  commending 
himself  to  God,  and  those  especially  whom  he  was  leaving 
behind  to  His  love,  and  care,  and  grace.     His  special  prayer 


81 4« 


THE  HARBINGER. 


f' 


i   I 


for  himself  was,  "  That  he  might  honour  God,  whatever 
scenes  he  might  pass  through."  Little  Nina,  his  child, 
two  years  and  one  month  old,  knelt  at  the  sofa  between 
her  mother  and  her  aunt  F  «  «  «.  They  feared  she 
would  interrupt  the  stillness,  but  she  seemed  to  feel  the 
solemnity  of  what  was  passing,  and  was  quiet  throughout. 

The  preparations  for  departure  were  soon  completed, 
and  Maxy  took  leave  of  his  wife,  his  child,  and  those  of  his 
family  assembled  at  Southsea,  to  see  them  here  no  more. 
Bitter  indeed  was  the  parting,  nor  would  it  be  possible  it 
should  pass  without  some  misgivings,  some  forecast  of 
sorrow  in  store.  If  holy  Jacob  could  pour  out  the  sorrows 
of  an  anxious  heart,  might  not  the  Christian  father,  with- 
out rebelling,  say,  "  If  mischief  befall  him  by  the  way  in 
the  which  ye  go,  then  shall  ye  bring  down  my  grey  hairs 
with  sorrow  to  the  grave." 

Before  sailing,  Maxy  Hammond  found  time,  as  usual, 
to  make  some  provision  for  the  spiritual  wants  of  his  men. 
A  well-known  publisher  says  in  a  letter — "  Captain  Ham- 
mond was  in  ♦  ♦  «  Street  a  few  days  before  he  sailed, 
and  he  was  then,  as  alyrays,  intent  upon  obtaining  for  his 
men  such  publications  as  he  thought  likely  to  do  them  good. 
In  the  brief  conversation  we  then  had  with  him,  we  can 
well  remember  how  warm  a  place  the  men  under  his  com- 
mand had  in  his  Christian  sympathies." 

The  vessel  appointed  to  convey  those  officers  who  were 
under  orders  for  the  Crimea  was  lying  at  Woolwich,  and 
there  Captain  Hammond  arrived  late  on  the  evening  of 
tlie  llth.  Here  he  was  joined  by  his  two  othei*  brothers 
and  a  sister,  who  had  not  received  intelligence  of  his 
sudden  departure  in  time  to  join  the  rest  at  Southsea. 


ib 


/. 


LAST  PARTINGS. 


S15 


iir  God,  whatever 
Nina,  his  child, 
the  sofa  between 
They  feared  she 
eemed  to  feel  the 
quiet  throughout. 
!  soon  completed, 
I,  and  those  of  his 
em  here  no  more, 
id  it  be  possible  it 
some  forecast  of 
ur  out  the  sorrows 
stian  father,  with- 
lim  by  the  way  in 
>wn  my  grey  hairs 

d  time,  as  usual, 
I  wants  of  his  men. 
"  Captain  Ham- 
before  he  sailed, 
obtaining  for  his 
to  do  them  good, 
ith  him,  we  can 
In  under  his  com- 

jfficers  who  were 
[t  Woolwich,  and 

the  evening  of 
^0  other  brothers 
Itelligence  of  his 

jst  at  Southsea. 


At  the  hc^^se  of  a  kind  and  old  friend  they  were  expecting 
his  arrival.  Late  at  night  a  carriage  drove  up,  and  he 
jumped  out;  his  face,  as  usual,  forestalling  the  warm  and 
joyful  greeting  of  his  lips.  He  was  in  uniform,  with  his 
pouch-belt  and  sword.  All  were  struck  with  the  very 
great  apparent  improvement  in  his  health.  He  had  latterly 
entirely  thrown  oflf  the  effects  of  his  illness;  and  it  seemed 
as  if  God,  in  His  gracious  love,  had  restored  him  to  the  full 
and  complete  possession  of  his  bodily  vigour,  in  order 
that,  in  the  last  great  earthly  struggle  that  remained,  he 
might  go  forth  "  strong  in  the  power  of  His  might,"  and 
honour  Him,  by  his  bearing  before  man,  in  answer  to  his 
prayers. 

Very  cheerlessly  the  Sabbath  morning  came.  The  sun 
strove  feebly  to  break  the  cold  grey  sky,  and  then  with- 
drew within  the  mist.  At  an  officer's  quarters  in  the 
dockyard  the  party  met  and  breakfasted  together.  They 
then  joined  together  in  prayer.  The  chapter  read  was 
Heb.  xiii.,  "  Let  brotherly  love  continue."  After  break- 
fast, they  walked  through  the  dockyard  to  the  quay. 
And  though  no  sound  of  hammer,  nor  axe,  nor  iron  tool 
was  there,  yet  gun,  mortar,  ambulance,  and  tumbril,  and 
pyramids  of  heavy  shot  and  shell,  spoke  to  us  of  purpose 
strangely  at  variance  with  that  day  of  holy  rest.  Nearly 
midway  across  the  river,  the  Harbinger  was  lying  at  her 
moorings,  her  black  hull  casting  a  heavy  shadow  upon  the 
dull  water.  Volumes  of  brown  smoke  from  her  funnel 
indicated  that  she  would  soon  be  under  weigh.  Hailing  a 
boat  to  go  on  board,  and  passing  down  the  granite  steps, 
along  whose  sides  the  sleepy  ripple  floated  up  the  slimy 
weeds,  and  washed  the  red  rust  from  cramp  and  iron 


S16 


THE  HARBINGER. 


cable,  with  sad  and  ftdl  hearts  the  little  party  ptdled  off, 
and  "  accompanied  him  to  the  ship,  sorrowing,  most  of  all, 
that  they  should  see  his  face  no  more."  Upon  the  gang- 
way of  the  steamer,  the  sister  and  brothers  parted;  yet 
not  sorrowing  as  those  without  hope.  Those  who  were 
left,  returned  in  time  to  worship  with  those  who  were 
assembled  in  God's  house,  and  to  lift  up  their  hearts  to  Him; 
comforted  by  a  hymn  singularly  suited  to  the  occasion: 
"Cijiore  the  congregation  had  left  that  roof,  the  Harbinger 
had  weighed  her  anchor  and  had  left  the  river;  and 
Captain  Hammond  seized  a  moment  of  leisure  to  write 
a  parting  line  of  farewell  to  some  of  his  friends: — 

■V 

** '  Harbingbe,'  at  Anchor,  off  N.  Foreland, 
*' August  l%\%^5.  * 

"  My  dear  Friend, — Often  have  you  and  I  been  called 
to  enter  into  each  other's  joys  and  sorrows — ^in  your  case 
more  frequently  the  latter.  Now  I  write  to  tell  you  that 
the  time  has  arrived  when  I  am  again  called  upon  to  part 
with  those  dearer  to  me  than  anything  else  on  earth,  to 
return  to  the  East  The  order  came  somewhat  unex- 
pectedly at  the  last.  For  though  I  had  been  under  orders 
for  three  weeks,  I  had  still  expected  to  have  been  kept  for 
a  time  longer  in  charge  of  the  dep6t,  in  consequence  of 
the  colonel  having  applied  for  this  purpose  to  the  adjutant- 
general 

"  But  it  i.  all  ordered  in  wisdom  and  love;  and,  there- 
fore, it  is  welL  The  trial  to  my  poor  dear  wife  is  one 
which  is  beyond  human  aid,  but,  blessed  be  God,  not 
beyond  the  all-sufficiency  of  His  grace.  Do  pray  for  her, 
my  dear  friend ;  and  for  me  also,  that  I  niay  be  enabled 


HIS  JOURNAL  UN  THE  PASSAGE  OUT. 


317 


larty  pulled  off, 
ng,  most  of  all, 
Fpon  the  gang- 
jrs  parted;  yet 
liose  who  were 
lose  who  were 
r  hearts  to  Him; 
0  the  occasion, 
the  Harbinger 
the  river;  and 
leisure  to  write 
Lends:—       '^f^ 

r.  FOBELAND, 

nd  I  been  called 
-in  your  case 
to  tell  you  that 
ed  upon  to  part 
Ise  on  earth,  to 
omewhat  unex- 
len  under  orders 
re  been  kept  for 
consequence  of 
to  the  adjutant- 

Dve;  and,  there- 
ear  wife  is  one 
d  be  God,  not 
)o  pray  for  her, 
may  be  enabled 


to  honour  God  before  men.  I  wonder  how  you  are.  Oh, 
that  the  waves  and  billows  of  life  may  be  wafting  us  all 
toward  the  haven  of  rest  above. — ^Ever  your  aflfectionate 
friend,        ,  M.  M.  H.'' 

And  to  another  friend— 

"My  dearest  J  «  •  %"  )ie  writes  in  one  of  these 
hiu^ied  notes,  "  you  will  be  somewhat  astonished  to  hear 
that  I  am  actually  en  route  for  the  Crimea.  So,  farewell 
to  all  pleasant  dreams  of  paying  you  and  your  dear  wife  a 
visit,  for  some  time  to  come.  The  order  to  go  out  came 
upon  us  rather  unexpectedly;  and  I  had  thought  I  should 
have  been  kept  for  a  time  longer  in  charge  of  the  dep6t. 
But  it  is  well.  My  only  thought  is  for  my  poor  wife; 
grace  only  can  keep  her  heart  from  sinking,  and  that  grace 
is  sufficient.  Here  is  my  comfort — ^you  and  your  dear  wife 
will  pray  for  her,  I  know,  and  for  me,  that  I  may  have 
grace  to  honour  God  before  men." 

■'«^''  ■     '     ■■'..,.•,'.. 

The  next  letter  is  a  short  one  to  his  father,  accompanied 
by  a  sort  of  journal,  which  it  was  his  intention  to  keep 
from  that  period: — 

^,,.  ..  ,4,44   ,-     ,.  "  Atigust  25,  IS55. 

"  My  deab  Father, — I  send  you  the  journal,  which  may 
tell  you  something  of  our  voyage  as  far  as  Malta.  We 
have  had  a  fine  passage,  though  not  a  quick  one,  having 
had  head  winds  since  crossing  the  Bay  of  Biscay.  Were 
it  not  that  I  was  going  away,  I  should  really  have  enjoyed 
it.  There  is  not  the  novelty  in  a  second  voyage  that  there 
was  at  first,  though  I  had  not  before  seen  Gibraltar  or 


818 


THE  HARBINGER. 


Algiers,  as  we  have  done  this  time.  We  expect  to  reach 
Malta  very  early  to-morrow  (Sunday)  morning.  I  am 
very  much  afraid  we  shall  coal,  and  go  on  without  delay, 
which  will  be  inconvenient,  as  I  had  reckoned  upca  pro- 
viding myself  with  sundry  necessaries  at  Malta.  ....  I 
cannot  tell  you  the  satisfaction  I  felt  at  having  seen  you 
all  before  I  left.  It  is  so  nice  to  have  you  all  fresh  in  my 
recollection,  as  among  the  last  things  I  saw  before  leaving 
dear  old  England 

"  We  don't  know,  until  we  arrive  at  Malta,  whether  we 
shall  go  on  at  once  in  this  ship,  or  be  kept  there.  The 
captain's  orders  are  only  to  take  us  as  far  as  Malta,  but  I 
shall  produce  my  letter  for  the  Crimea  (which  I  believe  to 
have  been  a  mistake  of  the  clerk  at  the  Brigade  Office  at 
Portsmouth),  and  I  have  little  doubt  the  admiral  will  send 
us  on  at  once.  I  sincerely  trust  so,  for  it  would  be  very 
trying  to  be  kept  at  Malta  doing  nothing 

''Monday,  August  27,  Malta, — ^Arrived  yesterday 
morning,  and  to  sail  this  morning.  Direct  to  the  Crimea, 
of  course. — ^Your  most  affectionate  Max." 


Some  extracts  from  the  journal  above  alluded  to  may 
be  read  with  interest: — 

"  August  11. — Embarked  at  ten  A.M.  this  morning,  on 
board  the  Harbinger,  weighed  anchor  at  eleven,  and 
steamed  down  the  river.  ....  Our  party  consists  of  five 
officers  Rifle  Brigade,  one  of  the  17th,  and  ten  surgeons; 
our  cargo,  200  tons  of  shot  and  shell,  50  tons  of  gun- 
powder, and  other  portions  of  a  battering-train 

"  August  17,  Bay  of  Biscay. — Nearly  every  one  suf- 
fered, more  or  less,  from  the  rolling  of  the  vessel     To-day 


JOURNAL  ON  JlU:  TAi-SAUK  OUT. 


319 


expect  to  reach 
lorning.  I  am 
1  without  delay, 
oned  upoa  pro- 
Malta.  ....  I 
laving  seen  you 
all  fresh  in  my 
ir  before  leaving 

ilta,  whether  we 
ept  there.  The 
as  Malta,  but  I 
hich  I  believe  to 
►rigade  Office  at 
dmiral  will  send 
;  would  be  very 

•    •     •     • 

ived  yesterday 
t  to  the  Crimea, 
Max." 

alluded  to  may 

;his  morning,  on 
at  eleven,  and 
consists  of  five 
il  ten  surgeons; 
10  tons  of  gun- 
train.  .... 
■  every  one  suf- 
vesseL     To-day 


it  has  been  delightfully  smooth.  Thankfully,  indeed,  did 
my  heart  ascend  this  morning  to  Him  who  says  to  the 
waves,  '  Be  still/  for  the  comfort,  mental  and  bodily,  thus 
afforded 

August  19. — ^The  wind  freshened  from  the  east,  and 
the  cap^^ain  prognosticated  a  Levanter,  as  we  approached 
the  Gut  of  Gibraltar,  which  surely  enough  came  true — 
the  breeze  gradually  increasing  all  day,  and  till  we  entered 
the  stiait  after  midnight.  Tlie  phosphorescent  nature  of 
the  water  in  these  latitudes  is  very  curious  and  beautiful 
Last  night  we  all  crowded  to  the  bows  to  see  it,  and  were 
astonished  at  the  myriads  of  fish  which  were  swimming 
in  endless  shoals  on  the  surface,  and  which  fled  in  all 
directions  as  the  ship  surged  into  the  midst  of  them.  At 
one  time  we  came  into  the  midst  of  a  number  of  phos- 
phorescent flashes  like  watery  meteors,  which  we  could  not 
account  for.  But  the  most  exciting  thing  of  all  was  the 
cry  of  porpoises,  which  played  about  the  ship's  bows, 
heedless  of  the  speed  with  which  we  were  cutting  through 
the  water,  each  porpoise  illuminated  with  phosphoric  light, 
and  leaving  behind  it  a  long  track  like  a  luminous  tail. 
They  were  evidently  hunting  the  hordes  of  fish  that  we 
were  driving  before  us 

"We  had  service  yesterday  morning  on  the  quarter- 
deck, the  captain  reading  the  prayers,  and  the  doctor  the 
lessons.  The  poop  was  prepared  with  flags  and  awnings 
for  the  occasion,  and  every  one  appeared  in  Sunday  best. 
The  sailors  seemed  attentive,  and  the  service  (which  never 
appeared  more  beautiful  in  my  eyes)  was  altogetner  an 
impressive  one.  A  quiet  Sunday  at  sea  is  peculiarly  re- 
freshing to  one's  spirit.     No  unnecessary  work  is  done, 


820 


THE  HAKmNOEK. 


and  the  day  is  observed  as  a  day  of  rest.  We  had  a 
beautiful  view  of  the  African  side  of  the  strait;  the  out- 
line of  the  hills  is  wild  and  picturesque.  On  the  other 
side,  but  at  a  greater  distance  than  one  would  have  de- 
sired, 'The  Rock'  rose  abruptly  and  majestically  out  of 
the  water.  It  is,  in  truth,  a  striking  object,  and  one  that 
does  not  disappoint  one's  expectations.  We  passed  close 
to  the  Spanish  town  of  Cintra,  with  a  fortified  citadel      * 

"  August  23. — Overhauled  and  spoke  the  Samuel  Lang, 
transport.  No.  219,  at  eleven  p.m.,  bound  for  Malta  and 
Balaklava.    The  excitement  on  such  occasions  is  great. 

"August  24. — ^We  have  just  passed  Bonah,  and  are 
now  lying  motionless  between  the  Sorelli  rocks  (where 
the  Avenger  steamer  was  lost)  and  the  mainland.  About 
ten  miles  distant  are  the  rocky  and  uninhabited  islands  of 
Galita.  In  the  afternoon  stopped  the  engines,  to  clean 
out  the  pipes  whLch  heat  the  boiler.  While  doing  so,  the 
John  Bowes,  steam-transport,  passed  close  to  us,  bound 
for  Balaklava  with  medical  comforts. 

"  August  25. — Passed  the  Sarah  Sands,  with  another 
transport  in  tow,  about  five  miles  off,  apparently  convey- 
ing troops ^ 

"August  27. — Arrived  at  Malta  yesterday  (Sunday) 
morning,  about  six  o'clock ;  attended  the  mid-day  service 
at  the  palace  at  eleven;  heard  a  very  striking  sermon 
from  the  chaplain,  Mr  Hare,  on  Ps.  xc.  2,  3 — *  The  Eter- 
nity of  God.'  Paid  a  visit  afterwards  to  these  kind,  warm- 
hearted people.  Felt  thankiul  for  a  quiet  Sunday,  and 
for  Mr  Hare's  stirring  sermon.  Up,  and  on  shore  early, 
as  we  were  coaling,  and  expected  to  sail  at  ten.  Tried, 
and  bought  for  <£*28,  a  very  nice  little  Spanish  horse. 


JuURiNAL  ON  TUE  I'ASSAUE  OUT. 


321 


^,  with  another 
»areiitly  convey- 


which  had  been  left  at  Malta  by  Sir  J.  Ferguson.  The 
little  horse  stands  about  fourteen  hands  high,  well-shaped 
and  strong,  and  very  quiet;  ten  or  twelve  years'  old,  and 
white.  Oui"  captain  was  excessively  good-natured;  got 
kave  for  mo  from  the  admiral  to  take  the  horse,  and  set 
his  carpenter  tc  make  up  a  stall  for  him  on  deck.  The 
harbour  presents  a  wonderful  spectacle  in  these  times. 
We  counted  about  fourteen  steam-transports  all  filled 
with  troops  or  stores,  which  had  put  in  to  coal ;  and  this 
goes  on  day  after  day,  and  week  after  week.  What  an 
idea  it  gives  one  of  the  expense  of  this  war !  Colonel 
P  «  «  «  told  me  that  they  had  sent  up  8000  men  from 
Malta  within  the  last  three  months ;  but  still  the  returns 
shew  about  the  same  number — 21,000  actually  on  service. 
My  little  horse  '  the  General'  ^ets  on  femously,  and  seems 
quite  at  home.  He  is  a  ^leat  favourite  with  all  the 
sailors.  I  shall  try  to  get  a  goat,  if  possible,  at  Constan- 
tinople, as  milk  is  a  luxury  unknown  in  the  Crimea.  .... 
"  September  3. — ^Arrived  at  Constantinople  about  five 

on  Saturday  evening On  Sunday  went  to  the 

service  at  the  Embassy;  heard  a  good  sermon;  received 
the  communion  afterwards.  Felt  it  a  great  privilege  to 
have  this  opportunity  of  receiving  the  sacrament  on  the 
last  Sunday  before  reaching  the  Crimea.  Went  to  Scutari 
in  the  afternoon  to  see  an  old  52d  friend.  He  is  now 
deputy-inspector  of  the  Barrack  Hospital  Went  with 
him  into  some  of  the  wards^  and  revisited  the  hospital 
again  yesterday,  when  we  completed  our  inspection  of  it. 
What  a  change  for  the  better  since  I  saw  it  last !  We 
have  read  endless  accounts  of  all  that  was  amiss  there, 
but  who  has  read  any  full  description  a^  the  improvements 


iip 


322 


THE  HARBINGER. 


that  have  taken  place,  and  the  state  of  perfection  to  which 
it  has  now  attained  ?  The  wards  are  in  beautiful  order, 
well  provided  with  shelves  and  utensils  of  all  kinds;  the 
bedding  and  dresses  of  the  patients  beautifully  clean. 
There  are  stores  innumerable  of  every  sort  and  descrip- 
tion imaginable — ^medicines,  provisions,  preserved  meats, 
clothing,  wine,  porter,  &c.  The  whole  building  is  divided 
into  so  many  numbered  divisions,  each  one  subdivided 
again  into  so  many  wards.  Each  division  has  its  staff  of 
superintendent,  ward-master,  orderlies,  &c.  We  saw  the 
bath-room,  where  every  patient,  not  too  ill,  is  washed  on 
admission,  has  his  old  clothes  taken  from  him,  and  re- 
ceives his  hospital  suit.  There  is  a  pack-room,  where  a,ll 
the  knapsacks  are  taken,  and  registered  in  a  book;  so  that 
here  nothing  can  be  lost.  Within  the  interior  ground 
many  sheds  have  been  erected  for  the  convalescents,  with 
dining-room  and  reading-room  attached.  In  the  reading- 
room  there  are  comfortable  English  arm-chairs,  and  plenty 
of  newspapers,  besides  books  of  all  sorts.  There  is  also 
another  well-stocked  library  for  the  use  of  the  sick.  I 
saw  several  of  our  men  who  recognised  me,  though  I 
seldom  knew  them,  poor  fellows.  .... 

The  letters  to  his  wife,  written  on  his  way  out,  contain 
passages  strikingly  beautiful.  His  mind  was  evidently 
becoming  more  and  more  abstracted  from  all  earthly 
things.  His  affection  for  his  wife  was,  indeed,  intense; 
but  still  he  was  rapidly  and  practically  concentrating  his 
affections  on  things  above;  and  his  whole  spirit  was  be- 
coming attuned  to  the  harmony  awaiting  him  in  a  higher 
and  heavenly  sphere.  ..^ 


LETTER  TO  HIS  WIFE. 


S23 


erfection  to  which 
a.  beautiful  order, 
of  all  kinds;  the 
beautifully  clean, 
sort  and  descrip- 
preserved  meats, 
uilding  is  divided 
1  one  subdivided 
m  has  its  staff  of 
fee.  We  saw  the 
» ill,  is  washed  on 
om  him,  and  re- 
k-room,  where  all 
n  a  book;  so  that 
I  interior  ground 
mvalescents,  with 

In  the  reading- 
chairs,  and  plenty 
s.    There  is  also 

of  the  sick.  I 
id  me,  though  I 


way  out,  contain 
id  was  evidently 
rom  all  earthly 
indeed,  intense; 
joncentrating  his 
e  spirit  was  be- 
him  in  a  higher 


To  his  wife: — 

"  Off  Eddystone  Liotithouse, 

August  14,  1855. 

"  With  an  aching  heart,  I  am  passing  away  from  the 
land  which  contains  my  wife,  child,  and  all  whom  I  love 
dearest  on  earth.  Were  it  not  that  I  can,  through  grace, 
feel  that  my  Saviour  God  is  with  me,  my  heart  would  sink 
beneath  the  weight  of  the  past,  and  anticipation  of  the 
future.  Already  I  have  felt  that  it  has  been  good  for  me 
to  have  been  thus  cut  off  from  the  happiness  of  my 
home.  My  heart  has  been  drawn  closer  to  Jesus,  and  my 
constant  prayer  is-^ 

Nearer  my  God  to  Thee,  nearer  to  Thee, 
E'en  though  it  be  a  cross  that  raiseth  me. 
Be  sure  that  the  right  trial  comes  at  the  right  moment. 
We  could  not  have  chosen  so  well  for  ourselves,  hard 
though  it  be  for  flesh  and  blood.  Jesus  hath  '  prayed  for 
thee,  that  thy  faith  fail  not.'  Here  is  my  comfort  in 
thinking  of  you.  He  will  not  suffer  your  faith  utterly  to 
fail  So  'lift  up  youi*  heart  to  the  hills  from  whence 
cometh  your  help.'  When  your  heart  is  overwhelmed,  then 
pray — '  Lead  me  to  the  Rock  that  is  higher  than  I.'  *  He 
(Jesut)  is  a  Rock,  and  His  way  is  perfect.'  I  have  needed 
this  trial;  perhaps  we  both  have.  For  I  know  the  ten- 
dency of  our  hearts  to  lean  too  much  in,  and  rest  too 
much  on,  each  other's  love.  When  with  you,  I  am  satis- 
fied, and  feel  at  rest.  But  he  *  builds  too  low  that  builds 
below  the  skies.'  I  have  yet  to  learn  that  we  must  look 
only  for  rest  in  the  kingdom  of  the  Prince  of  Peace. 

"  August  17. — I  can  scarcely  believe  that  six  days  have 
passed  since  that  day.     Ihe  last  two  have  been  miserable 


324 


THE  HARBINGER. 


enough;  bodily,  and  therefore  mentally.  For  sea-sickness 
prostrates  all  our  energies,  and  wholly  unfits  one  for 
speech,  thought,  or  action.  But,  to-day,  it  is  delightfully 
smooth,  and  I  breathe  once  more.  I  trust  our  experience 
will  be  found  to  agree  that 

Trials  make  the  promise  sweet, 
Trials  give  new  life  to  prayer. 
I  have  found  it  so,  through  the  rich  mercy  of  my  God. 
But  I  must  watch  against  the  deceitfulness  of  my  heart, 
and  not  forget  whence  alone  my  strength  can  come. 
You  are  never  absent  from  my  thoughts;  but,  again  and 
again,  I  fall  back  upon  the  comfort  of  knowing  that  Jesus 
loves  you  more  tenderly,  more  wisely,  and  more  constantly 
than  I  do.  He  will  sustain  and  keep  you,  and  give  you 
songs  in  the  night.  I  was  comforted  this  morning  in 
prayer  for  you,  in  thinking  that  the  promise  would  be 
fulfilled  to  you — *I  will  not  leave  you  comfortless;  I  will 
come  to  you.'  Oh !  if  Jesus  come  to  you,  you  will  have 
such  a  portion  as  your  husband  can  never  be  to  you.  .  .  . 

"  It  was  such  a  comfort  to  me  to  have  seen  all  the 
family,  except  dear  F  #  «  «,  before  I  left.  I  wrote  short 
notes  to  Mr  M«««,  W«««J«««,  A««« 
P  «  «  «,  and  G  «  «  «;  dear  M  «  «  «  and  S  «  «  «, 
give  them  my  parting  love  when  you  wiite.  .... 

"  We  had  a  pleasant  Sabbath  yesterday.  The  service 
was  very  impressive.  Never  do  I  more  fully  appreciate 
the  beauty  and  fulness  of  our  Liturgy  than  on  these 
occasions.  It  was  sweet  to  feel,  too,  that  those  at  home 
were  worshipping  the  same  God,  through  the  same 
Mediator.  ... 

"I  have  become  so  fond  of  little  G  *  ♦  «,  and  her 


LEriER  10  HIS  WIFE. 


325 


For  sea-sickness 
'  unfits  one  for 
it  is  delightfully 
}t  our  experience 


ercy  of  my  God. 
ess  of  my  heart, 
ngth  can  come. 
;  but,  again  and 
owing  that  Jesus 
[  more  constantly 
>u,  and  give  you 
this  morning  in 
[•omise  would  be 
)mfortless;  I  will 
lu,  you  will  have 

be  to  you.  .  .  . 

,ve  seen  all  the 
I  wrote  short 

«  «,  A  «  «  * 

and  S  IK  «  «, 


•     •     • 


|,y.     The  service 

fully  appreciate 

than  on  these 

those  at  home 

)ugh  the   same 


good  aunt ;  she  is  such  a  nice  and  affectionate  child;  and, 
moreover,  I  trust  a  child  of  God.  She  has  got  a  number 
of  tracts  and  little  books,  which  she  was  anxious  to  give 
to  the  sailors  and  soldiers;  so  I  went  round  with  her, 
and  she  was  well  received. 

"  August  21. — I  enjoyed  so  much  the  hour  I  spent  with 
dear  F  «  «  «,  after  returning  from  the  H  «  «  «'s,  on 
the  night  of  Saturday.  Though  dreadfully  tired,  I  would 
not  have  missed  that  quiet  time  with  him  on  any  account. 
He  read  Heb.  iii.,  and  prayed  with  me.  My  heart  is 
much  cast  down;  but  I  would  not  have  it  otherwisa 
Only  I  pray  that  I  may  glorify  God,  by  trusting  in  Him, 
even  in  the  darkest  day.  It  is  not  easy  to  keep  up  the 
outward  appearance  of   cheerfulness;  but  I  feel  that  I 

yjut  to  do  so.  I  always  endeavour  to  do  so,  as  far 
:  s  I  can,  for  the  sake  of  those  with  me.  .  .  . 

"  Monday,  August  27th,  Malta. — We  go  this  morning 
direct  to  the  Crimea.     In  great  h&stc/I  must  end.'' 

To  his  wife: — 

"  August  29,  Harbinger. 

"It  was  a  great  comfort  to  me  to  have  a 

quiet  Sunday  at  Malta.  I  enjoyed  the  service,  though, 
alas!  my  thoughts  wandered  sadly.  Mr  H  «  «  * 
preached  in  his  usually  earnest  and  striking  style.  I  felt 
that  I  ought  to  make  the  most  of  this  'meat,'  in  the 
strength  of  which  I  shall  probably  have  to  go  for  many 
days.  .  .  .  Alas!  how  cold  often  is  my  heart;  and  yet, 
through  all  its  wanderings,  and  worldliness,  and  sin,  I 
trust  I  can  say,  '  Lord,  Thou  knowest  all  things ;  Thou 
knowest  that  I  love  Thee.'     I   do  so  prize  that  sweet 


iJ2G 


TUE  HAKBINGER. 


little  book,  'The  Mind  and  Words  of  Jesus;'  it  so  often 
speaks  a  word  in  season  to  me.  We  are  getting  on  but 
slowly;  some  on  board  are  'grumbling/  which  I  abhor 
above  all  things 

"  I  do  trust  and  pray  that  you  may  be  able  to  commit 
my  way  to  Him  in  humble  confidence,  and  that  your  heart 
may  be  kept  in  peace,  resting  on  Him,  Hitherto,  thank 
God,  I  have  had  no  disquieting  thoughts  for  myself. 
Eeeling  so  fully  that  I  am  in  His  hands,  I  can  calmly 
look  forward  to  all  dangers  and  risks,  to  which  I  shall 
probably  be  exposed.  '  The  determinate  counsel  and  fore- 
knowledge of  God '  affords,  at  this  season,  peculiar  com- 
fort. Seek  to  cherish  this  blessed  truth,  that  all  is  be- 
fore appointed.  Then,  come  what  will,  all  must  be 
well  I  have  no  presentiment  of  coming  evil,  and  no 
vain  confidence  of  escaping  danger.  I  place  myself  in 
the  hands  of  my  Saviour  God.  I  rest  in  His  finished 
work,  as  a  poor  guilty  sinner.  I  hope  in  His  mercy,  and 
leave  the  issue  in  His  hands,  without  carefulness.  This 
trial  is  for  the  exercise  of  our  faith.  Oh !  that  grace  may 
be  given  us  to  glorify  our  Lord,  by  doing  or  suffering 
what  He  may  appoint. 

"September'  2d,  Constantinople. — Arrived  this  morn- 
ing, and  am  to  see  Mr  F  *  ♦  ♦  (the  Free  Church  mis- 
sionary) afterwards.  I  want  also  to  pay  a  visit  to 
S.  .tari.     God  bless  and  be  with  you.  M.  M.  H." 

In  the  little  volume  above  alluded  to— "The  Mind  and 
Words  of  Jesus" — the  following  passages  underlined  may 
be  taken  as  expressive  of  the  spirit  and  temper  of  mind 
to  which  he  had  attained  at  this  period : — 


H  ft 

3;*  it  so  often 
retting  on  but 
vhich  I  abhor 

ble  to  commit 
hat  your  heart 
itherto,  thank 
bs  for  myself. 
I  can  calmly 
which  I  shall 
unsel  and  fore- 
peculiar  com- 
that  all  is  be- 
all  must  be 
g  evil,  and  no 
lace  myself  in 
n  His  finished 
lis  mercy,  and 
efulness.     This 
that  gi'ace  may 
ig  or  suffering 

red  this  morn- 
ee  Church  mis- 
Day  a  visit  to 
M.  M.  H." 

The  Mind  and 
imderlined  may 
emper  of  mind 


EXTEACTS  FEOM  THE  "  MIND  AND  WORDS  OF  JESUS."   327 

P.  74)—"  Be  patient.  The  Lord  is  good  to  them  that 
wait  for  Him.  With  thee,  the  tribulation  that  worketh 
patience  is  needful  discipline.'' 

P.  75 — "  In  patience,  then,  possess  ye  your  souls.  Let 
it  not  be  a  grace  for  peculiar  seasons,  called  forth  in  pecu- 
li9,r  exigencies ;  but  an  habitual  frame,  manifested  in  the 
calm  serenity  of  a  daily  walk;  placidity  amid  the  little, 
fretting  annoyances  of  everyday  life ;  and  fixed  purpose 
of  the  heart  to  wait  upon  God,  and  cast  its  every  burden 
upon  Him." 

P.  114 — "We  know  not  what  tenderness  of  the  blast 
there  is  in  the  rough  wind;  what  'needs-be'  are  folded 
under  the  wings  of  the  storm." 

P.  11 5 — "  Do  not  anticipate  the  trials  of  to-morrow,  to 
aggravate  those  of  to-day." 

P.  125 — "Then  let  death  overtake  you  when  it  may, 
you  will  have  nothing  to  do  but  to  die."  This  is  the  last 
passage  marked  in  the  volume. 

A  few  more  extracts  from  his  journal  will  connect  this 
letter  with  Captain  Hammond's  arrival  at  Balaklava: — 
7  "  S^t.  3. — Got  steam  up,  and  under  weigh  about  five 
o'clock  on  Monday.  Through  the  Bosphorus  before  dark. 
Stormy  head  wind  and  heavy  sea  greeted  us  as  we  entered 
the  Black  Sea.  ...  . 

"  Sept.  5,  one  p.m. — Cape  Cherson  is  now  full  in  sight, 
and  we  expect  to  reach  Balaklava  in  three  or  four  hou^s. 
Arrived  in  Balaklava  Roads  about  half-past  three.  The 
approach  is  very  striking :  cliffs  of  varying  heights,  from 
eight  hundred  to  two  thousand  feet,  of  red  or  slate- 
coloured  rock,  rise  abruptly  from  the  water's  edge ;  and 
one  can  form  some  idea  of  the  terrible  predicament  those 


328 


THE  HAfiBUIUEJB. 


poor  fellows  were  in,  who  were  anchored  where  we  are 
now,  in  that  terrible  gale  of  the  14th  of  November.  Not 
a  trace  can  be  perceived  of  anything  like  a  harbour  until 
you  are  close  to  it,  when  you  discover  the  masts  of  vessels 
peeping  up  from  out  of  the  rocks.  Went  into  harbour 
with  the  captain  for  orders.  As  we  entered,  we  read  the 
names,  painted  on  the  rocks — 'Powell  Point,'  'Castle 
Point,'  *  Leander  Bay,'  &c.  .  .  .  .  The  harbour  is  full  of 
shipping,  arranged  in  excellent  order  on  both  sides,  leav- 
ing a  channel  between  just  sufficient  for  a  ship  to  pass  in 
or  out.  Landed  at  the  Ordnance,  where  shells  and  other 
stores  were  being  landed,  and  taken  away  by  artillery- 
waggons.  Learned  that  the  fire  opened  this  morning; 
could  see  the  flashes  of  the  guns  from  our  decks." 

Here  the  journal  closes. 

Captain  Hammond  had  also  written  on  the  same  day  to 
his  wife^  from  the  Harbinger^  in  sight  of  Cape  Cherson: — 

.  '  y4«'l3M5v.    "Septembers,  1855.    , 

"We  are  steaming  quietly  along  towards  Balaklava. 
We  expect  to  be  ofi'  the  harbour  by  four  o'clock.  You 
would  think  this  would  be  on  exciting  time ;  but  it  is  not 
so.  I  have  been  so  long  and  so  calmly,  looking  forward 
to  it,  that  it  fails  to  produce  the  excitement  that  it  might 
once  have  done.  The  quiet  time  on  board  ship  has  been 
a  great  privilege,  before  entering  on  the  distractions  and 
turmoils  of  camp  life.  I  have  been  enabled,  in  some 
measure,  to  comnn  -  with  my  own  heart  and  with  my 
God  in  secret;  and  i  Sunday  last  I  was  thankful  to 
have  an  opportunity  uf  partaking  of  the  sacrament  at  the 


,*,  5    til  I     '  * .  iV 


where  we  are 
vember.  Not 
harbour  until 
lasts  of  vessels 
into  harbour 
d,  we  read  the 
Point/  'Castle 
>our  is  full  of 
)th  sides,  leav- 
ship  to  pass  in 
hells  and  other 
y  by  artillery- 
this  morning; 
leeks." 


he  same  day  to 
ipeCherson: — 

her  5,  1855. 
irds  Balaklava. 

o'clock.  You 
e ;  but  it  is  not 
)oking  forward 
t  that  it  might 

ship  has  been 
listractions  and 
ibled,  in  some 
;  and  with  my 
'as  thankful  to 
icrament  at  the 


LETTER  TO  HIS  WIFK 


829 


Embassy.  I  felt  much  comfort  and  peace  in  the  ordi- 
nance; its  value  seemed  enhanced  from  the  feeling  that 
it  was  probably  the  last  time  that  I  should  have  an  op- 
portunity of  receiving  it  in  anything  like  a  church.  Mr 
B  «  «  •  has  engaged  the  services  of  a  good  man  during 
his  absence.  He  preached  from  Job,  on  the  words—'  I 
would  not  live  alway:'  shewing  the  reason  why  the 
Christian  might  adopt  them  as  hia  aiL  Oh,  ought  we 
not  to  bless  our  God  for  every  trial  which  may  lead  us  to 
a  desire  to  deparc  and  to  be  with  Christ  I  When  all  is 
bright,  and  prosperous,  and  happy,  then  we  would  not 
give  up  these  earthly  blessings,  no,  not  even  for  those 
higher  blessings  which  are  above ;  but  when  all  is  dark, 
and  gloomy,  and  uncertain,  earthly  blessings  and  consola- 
tions gone,  then  the  heart  yearns  for  those  things  which 
pass  not  away— -for  that  'inheritance'  which  is  'incorrup- 
tible and  undeiiled,  and  that  fadeth  not  away/  I  long  to 
hear  that  you  can  tell  me  that  our  God  is  leading  us 
aright,  and  that  you  can  trust  His  faithfulness  to  do  all 
things  well  My  constant  prayer  for  you  is,  that  your 
faith  may  not  fail — that  His  strength  may  be  sufficient 
for  you  always. 

"  8.30. — Her'>  we  are  safely  anchored  in  the  roadstead 
of  Balaklava.  ....  You  will  learn  by  telegraph  that  we 
opened  fire  again  this  morning;  but  not  much  is  expected 
from  it,  so  fai*  as  I  can  learn  from  Balaklava.  We  have 
been  watching  the  flashes  in  the  direction  of  Sebastopol. 
Their  frequency  astonishes  us  novices.  Strange  to  say, 
we  cannot  hear  the  report  of  the  guns ;  but,  doubtless, 
we  shall  hear  and  see  more  than  enough  of  them  before 
we  have  done 


330 


THE  HABBINQES. 


"  Went  on  shore  to  arrange  about  getting  our  baggage 
up  to  camp.  Saw  Dr  J  «  «  «  (one  of  our  assistant- 
surgeons  in  Iala.'daya),  and  learned  from  him  that  dear 
J  «  «  «  is  in  cp.mp,  and  weE  .... 

"  The  Lord  be  with  you  and  with  uS  both  for  time  and 
eternity."  • 


There  are  one  or  two  passages  in  this  letter,  which, 
without  attributing  to  them  any  undue  meaning,  still 
cannot  fail  to  strike  us,  as  we  read  them  now,  with  sin- 
gular solemnity — passages  especially  fulfilled  in  the  result, 
though  we  would  not  assign  to  them  any  prophetic  cha- 
racter, beyond  that  general  one,  which  they  bear  i  (Na- 
tion to  all  those  similarly  circumstanced  with  Captain 
Hammond.  Yet  let  us  view  them  in  connexion  with  the 
whole  out-breathing  of  his  soul  during  the  last  year  of 
his  life;  his  yearnings  for  rest  in  a  continuing  city — ^his 
consciousness  of  the  frailty  of  the  silver  cord  that  binds 
body  and  soul  together  here,  and  that,  seventy-fold  more, 
in  those  days  of  peril.  And,  if  we  so  weigh  them,  do  they 
not  waken  solemn  thoughts  in  our  minds  ?  Was  it  not 
under  the  immediate  guidance  of  the  Holy  Spirit  that  the 
preacher  chose  his  text  on  that  last  Sunday  on  which 
Captain  Hammond  was  to  bow  the  knee  in  God's  house — 
"I  would  not  live  alway?"  Might  not  that  text  have 
come  with  a  resistless  welcome  to  the  heart  of  the  hearer, 
— ^yet,  comparing  them,  as  he  listened  to  another  pas- 
sage, which,  though  perhaps  uncertainly  prophetic  of  the 
Saviour,  is  yet  so  striking  to  all  who  read  it  now,  that  it 
is,  as  it  were,  impossible  to  disconnect  it  with  Christ — "  I 
know  that  my  Redeemer  liveth ;  and  although  after  my 


SEFLE0TI0N8. 


331 


oth  for  time  and 


skin  worms  destroy  this  body,  yet  in  my  flesh  shall  I  sec 
God?"  Or,  as  that  ripened  Christian  wrote  and  spoke  of 
peace^  and  comfort  of  soul,  of  a  strengthening  and  refresh- 
ing by  a  partaking  of  the  sacred  feast  of  love  in  remem- 
brance of  the  Lord  Jesus,  was  he  not  lifted  up  in  spirit 
beyond  this  world  to  the  next,  when  he  recorded  this 
occasion  as  "  probably  the  last  time  I  shall  have  an  oppor- 
tunity of  receiving  it  in  anything  like  a  church?"  It 
almost  seems  as  if  the  Saviour's  voice  was  sounding  in 
his  ears — "  I  will  not  henceforth  drink  of  this  fruit  of  the 
vine,  until  the  day  when  I  drink  it  new  with  you  in  my 
Father's  kingdom.'' 


332 


SHE  OBIMHA. 


CHAPTER  XXL 


€\t  €xm. 


*. 


"  Father,  oh !  lead  me  on  1 

*  ~  Lead  me  to  death  or  to  victory  send  me  t 

Lord,  to  Thy  sovereign  will  I  commend  i 

(  Lord  aa  Thou  wilt,  so  lead  me  on.  ; 

Father  I  Thy  will  be  done."  \ 

Battle  PRATnk 

The  short  period  of  two  days  that  elapsed  between  Cap- 
tain Hammond's  landing  and  the  final  attack  upon  Sebas- 
topol  were  chiefly  occupied  in  settling  himself  in  camp, 
superintending  the  disembarkation  of  his  luggage,  and 
paying  visits  to  his  friends.  And  yet  he  found  time  in 
the  first  confusion  of  arrival  to  visit  the  sick  in  hospital, 
remembering  the  words  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  "Come,  ye 
blessed  of  my  Father,  inherit  the  kingdom  prepared  for 
you,  ...  for  I  was  sick  and  ye  visite<   me." 

The  few  particulars  of  these  last  two  days  may  be  best 
gathered  from  the  letters  of  a  brother  officer  and  most 
attached  friend. 


"  Camp  befoee  Sebabtopol. 

"  I  will  just  in  a  few  words  mention  some  things  that 
will  interest  you,  regarding  the  two  days  he  spent  in  camp 


BEFORE  THE  ATTACK. 


333 


1 1 


ed  between  Cap- 
tack  upon  Sebas- 
imself  in  camp, 
lis  luggage,   and 
e  found  time  in 
sick  in  hospital, 
isus,  "Come,  ye 
m  prepared  for 
he." 

ays  may  be  best 
ifficer  and  most 


Sebastopol. 

^ome  things  that 
le  spent  in  camp 


with  us.     Having  heard,  on  the  evening  of  the  5th,  that 
he  had  arrived  at  Balaklava,  I  rode  down  the  following 
morning,  and  met  him  on  Colonel  L  «  «  «'s  horse,  which 
had  been  sent  to  meet  him.     We  rode  back  to  camp,  wel- 
coming each  other  with  a  chastened  joy,  and  with  some 
vague  misgivings  in  my  mind.     He  was  cheerful,  looked 
well,  and  I  pointed  out  to  him  the  various  localities  ren- 
dered remarkable  by  recent  events  in  this  weary  campaign. 
He  dined  with  me,  enjoying  the  camp  comfort  of  the  hut 
in  which  I  live.     Afterwards,  true  to  his  old  spirit  of  love 
and  benevolence,  he  visited  the  hospital,  talked  and  shook 
hands  with  all  the  old  soldiers  he  recognised,  and  also  had 
a  kind  conversation  with  the  hospital  sergeant,  whose  wife 
is  with  Mrs  Hammond.     We  then  walked  to  the  front  of 
our  encampment,  and  I  pointed  out  to  him  such  works  of 
the  enemy  and  the  allies  as  were  within  view.     On  return- 
ing to  camp  we  mounted  our  horses  again,  and  rode  to 
Cathcart's  Hill,  where  a  good  view  of  the  town  can  be 
obtained.     On  our  return  we  called  on  his  cousin,  Major 
G  «  «  «.     After  tea  we  walked  again  to  the  front  to  see 
the  cannonade  and  the  shelling.     On  the  following  morning 
at  breakfast  he  said  he  had  slept  but  little,  from  the  dust 
which  was  flying  about  and  the  excitement  connected  with 
the  terrific  firing.     He  afterwards  rode  into  Balaklava  to 
inquire  for  his  horse,  and  wrote  a  letter  to  his  wife,  when 
in  the  meantime  the  plan  of  the  morrow's  attack  was  pub- 
lished in  orders.  «Hi 
"  We  talked  together  of  the  dread  work  before  the  army 
and  the  regiment,  and  iii  compliance  with  his  then  request 
I  now  write  to  you.     *  John,'  as  he  always  affectionately 
called  me,  'wHte  to  my  father  if  any  thing  befalls  me. 


834 


THE  CRlMrA. 


You  know  his  address'  He  then  added,  his  eyes  Ulling 
with  tears,  *  Write  to  my  wife,  too/  and  spoke  about  selling 
his  things;  under  no  kind  of  depression,  but  as  if  to 
be  ready  for  the  worst  I  agreed,  of  course,  and  asked 
him  to  leave  his  watch  with  me,  with  his  keys,  which  ho 
did,  passing  the  subject  off  by  mying  that  we  often  talked 
of  such  matters  among  ourselves,  from  the  uncertainty  of 
camp  life,  from  sickness,  as  well  as  the  shot  of  the  enemy. 
"  After  finishing  our  letters,  he  proposed  that  we  should 
have  our  ordinary  reading  of  the  Scriptures,  with  prayer, 
asking  me  to  read.  I  read  the  91st  Psalm,  which  led  to 
some  conversation  regarding  Qod's  care  of  His  own  pecu- 
liar people.  He  said  he  did  not  think  this  applied  lite- 
rally to  e\&rj  individual  believer,  or  words  to  that  effect; 
and  then  read  a  passage  from  one  of  his  wife's  letters,  as 
expressive  of  what  he  felt  to  be  the  right  view  of  the  sub- 
ject.* He  then  prayed  with  a  fervour  and  unction  that 
>'ecalled  the  many  sweet  prayers  that  I  have  heard  uttered 
by  that  dear  voice  which  is  now  attuned  to  everlasting 
praise  before  the  Lamb.  My  mind  was  much  distracted 
about  him ;  but  I  recollect  feeling  how  he  dwelt  on  the 
undue  importance  we  attach  to  seen  and  temporal  things, 
and  the  importance  of  unseen  and  eternal  things.  He 
mentioned  in  prayer  his  wife  and  child,  and  those  dear 
brethren  whom  we  are  accustomed  to  remember  in  our 
social  prayers.  We  bid  each  other  good  night  with  an 
affectionate  shake,  our  hearts  filled  with  hopes  and  fears 
regarding  the  morrow.  He  wished  me  to  call  him  early 
in  the  morning,  that  he  might  have  some  time  for  prayer 

*  It  is  well  to  compare  bis  altered  opinion  on  this  head  with  thatexpreased 
in  a  letter  to  hie  wife,  dated  August  25,  1854. 


LAST  LETTER  TO  HIS  WIFE. 


a35 


his  eyes  filling 
)ke  about  selling 
n,  but  as  if  to 
urse,  and  asked 
I  keys,  which  ho 
,  we  often  talked 
le  uncertainty  of 
,ot  of  the  enemy, 
jd  that  we  should 
res,  with  prayer, 
im,  which  led  to 
>f  His  own  pecu- 
this  applied  lite- 
Is  to  that  efifect; 
I  wife's  letters,  as 
view  of  the  sub- 
tnd  unction  that 
*ve  heard  uttered 
id  to  everlasting 
much  distracted 
he  dwelt  on  the 
temporal  things, 
al  things.     He 
and  those  dear 
{member  in  our 
night  with  an 
|hopes  and  fears 
io  call  him  early 
time  for  prayer 

with  thatexpressed 


before  breakfast,  which  was  earlier  than  usual  on  account 
of  parade." 

The  letter  to  his  wife,  alluded  to  above,  as  written  on 
the  evening  of  the  7th,  the  night  before  the  attack,  is  as 
follows  ;— 

"  Camp  before  Sebastopol, 
October  7,  1855. 

"  I  am  not  going  to  write  a  long  letter,  because  I  have 
already  posted  one  for  you,  and  I  or,,  rather  tired  this 
evening  through  the  excitement  of  the  sc^^ies  .iround  me, 
the  sights  and  sounds,  which  have  taken  the  j-  ice  of  ^  hat 
we  used  only  to  read  of.  Long  before  this  reachft^-  you 
you  will  probably  have  heard  of  another  attack  on  the 
Bedan,  Malakoff,  or  both.  Who  shall  say  Avnei'ier  it  will 
be  attended  with  success  or  failure  ?  But  the  Lord  reign- 
eth,  and  to  Him  only  can  the  soul  turn  in  looking  to  the 
unknown  future.  A  very  heavy  bombardment  has  been 
going  on  for  the  last  three  days  without  int  ormission ;  a 
heavier  fire  than  any  other  that  has  hitherto  taken  place. 
There  is  no  manner  of  doubt  that  something  great  is  to 
take  place  inmiediately.  In  fact  we  were  told  so  on  parade 
this  evening  by  General  C  «  ♦  «.  Two  days'  rations 
have  been  issued  to  the  Secv'>nd  a.i  I  Light  Divisions,  and 
it  is  expected  that  we  shall  move  down  to  the  trenches  to- 
morrow morning.  At  all  event  i,  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  this 
time  they  will  not  repeat  tLe  blunders  of  the  18th,  and 
that  we  shall  not  attack  till  the  French  have  stormed  the 
Malakoff.  I  have  not  yet  been  down  to  the  trenches,  so 
that  my  inauguration  will  probably  be  a  serious  one.  But 
I  can  calmly  leave  the  event  in  the  hands  of  a  Saviour 


836 


THE  CRIMEA. 


God.  Come  life  or  come  death,  my  only  hope  is  in  the 
blood  which  cleanseth  from  all  sin.  My  heart  sometimes 
sinks  when  I  think  of  those  at  home.  But  He  is  faithful 
who  has  said,  '  When  thou  passest  through  the  waters  / 
will  be  with  thee.'  And  He  will  be  with  thee,  even  to  the 
end  of  the  world.  ....  One  does  not  realise  the  curse  of 
war  until  one  comes  in  contact  with  it.  ...  . 

"  The  order  for  the  attack  has  just  come  out;  thankful  I 
am  that  you  cannot  know  it,  dearest,  beforehand.  F  «  «  «, 
with  100  men,  form  the  covering  party  to  the  whole.  The 
remainder  of  our  battalion  form  part  of  the  reserve,  and 
follow  up  the  attack.    The  Lord  Jesus  be  with  you ! 

■"  "  P.S. — September  8th,  6.30  A.M. — I  have  had  a  peaceful 
time  for  prayer,  and  have  committed  the  keeping  of  my 
soul  and  body  to  the  Lord  my  God,  and  have  commended 
to  His  grace  and  care  my  wife  and  child,  my  parents, 
brothers  and  sisters,  and  all  dear  to  ma  Come  what  will, 
all  is  well  This  day  will  be  a  memorable  one.  Fare- 
well, once  more  !  Ps.  xcL  15  is  my  text  for  to-day,  espe- 
cially the  words,  *  I  will  be  with  him  in  trouble.' 


fH 


This  calm  awaiting  of  whatever  might  befall  him  in 
the  Lord's  good  time,  calls  to  remembrance  some  very 
beautiful  lines,  whose  source  the  writer  cannot  at  this 
moment  remember;  yet  they  seem  almost  penned  to  illus- 
trate his  last-written  words: — • 

-^  "  Art  thou  not  sadly  weary  ?    Answer  me, 

Mariner,  What  thinkest  thou,  when  the  waters  beat 
Thy  frail  bark  backward  from  the  wished-for  harbour  ? 

V.  Oh,  brother  !  thoimh  innumerable  waves  . 


m 


AN  OVERRULING  PROVIDENCE. 


337 


hope  is  in  the 
lieart  sometimes 
lit  He  is  faithful 
rh  the  waters  / 
thee,  even  to  the 
ilise  the  curse  of 

•  •  • 

5  out;  thankful  I 

jhand,  F  ♦  «  *, 
the  whole.    The 
the  reserve,  and 
3  with  you !    ,,. 

ive  had  a  peaceful 
B  keeping  of  my 
have  commended 
lild,  my  parents, 
Ooine  what  will, 
•able  one.  Fare- 
;  for  to-day,  espe- 
trouble.'* 

rht  befall  him  in 
)rance  some  very 
r  cannot  at  this 
>t  penned  to  iUus- 


Answer  me, 
le  waters  beat 
hed-f or  harbour? 

ves 


,•1. 


Shall  seem  to  rise  betwixt  me  and  my  home,  -^t 

-  /  know  that  they  are  numbered;  not  one  less  tt 

Should  bear  me  homeward,  if  I  had  my  will ; 
For  One,  who  knows  what  tempests  are  to  weather, 
O'er  whom  there  broke  the  wildest  billows  once^^ 
He  bids  these  waters  swell.     In  His  good  time 
The  last  rough  wave  shall  bear  me  on  its  bosom 
Into  the  bosom  of  eternal  peace. 
No  billows  after  !     They  are  numbered,  brother. 
,,  Oh,  gentle  mariner,  steer  on,  steer  on  ; 
^  My  tears  still  fall  for  thee,  but  they  are  tears 
.;,,  In  which  faith  strives  with  grief  and  overcomes." 

The  mysterious  dealings  of  God's  providence,  which 
placed  Captain  Hammond  on  the  soil  of  the  Crimea,  on 
the  very  eve  of  the  assault,  are  most  remarkable.  Humanly 
speaking,  all  circumstances  seemed  to  point  to  a  different 
result.  His  final  embarkation  occurred  after  a  succession 
of  delays,  counter-orders,  and  uncertainty,  as  to  whether 
he  or  some  other  officer  should  be  sent.  A,  direct  appli- 
cation, that  he  should  be  left  in  charge  of  the  dep6t,  was 
made  by  his  commanding  officer,  who  was  most  anxious 
t<!>  keep  him  at  a  post  where  the  qualities  of  an  efficient 
officer  were  called  for.  This  application  was  actually 
granted,  and  subsequently  withdrawn.  Then  occurred  the 
error  of  one  of  the  clerks,  who  made  out  the  route  for 
the  Crimea  instead  of  Malta,  where,  in  the  ordinary 
course,  the  draft  would  have  been  landed,  had  not  Captain 
Hammond  himself  explained  and  overruled  themistake.  Any 
slight  occurrence,  a  little  longer  delayat  Constantinople,  the 
prevalence  of  head  winds  on  the  pas^isagc  out,  a  very  trifling 

Y 


S38 


THE  ClilMEA. 


circumstance,  indeed,  would  have  caused  those  two  days  to 
slip  away  that  alone  intervened  between  Captain  Ham- 
mond's arrival  and  the  storming  of  the  great  Kedan.  Yet 
what  avail  those  combinations  of  second  causes,  which 
men  term  "  chance  "  or  accident,  in  the  ordained  decrees 
of  Him  by  whom  we  live,  and  move,  and  have  our  being." 
The  grain  was  ripe,  and  the  husbandman  was  ready  to  put 
in  the  sickle,  because  the  harvest  was  come. 

"  On  the  evening  preceding  the  attack,"  we  quote  from 
an  officer's  letter,  "  Captain  Hammond  entered  the  mess- 
room,  where  all  the  officers  were  assembled,  after  having 
volunteered  for  duties  of  special  danger  on  the  following 
day.  The  real  feeling  of  each  officer  may  probably  be 
guessed ;  but  the  conversation  was  generally  of  that  light 
and  thoughtless  character  usual  in  a  mess-room.  An  orderly 
came  to  the  door,  and  having  whispered  an  announcement, 
the  party  prepared  to  break  up.  '  Hammond,  we  are  all 
going  to  take  the  sacrament ;  of  course  you  will  come.'  *  I 
wish  1  had  known ;  why  did  they  not  tell  me,'  was  the  reply ; 
and,  after  a  few  moments'  hesitation,  Captain  Hammond 
added,  *  No,  I  am  not  prepared  now.'  The  whole  of  the 
officers  then  repaired  to  the  little  wooden  chapeL" 


On  returning  to  the  hut  of  an  intimate  friend.  Captain 
Hammond  said,  "  He  did  not  like  this  '  rushing '  to  the 
table  of  die  Lord,  and  that  he  had,  besides,  on  the  preceding 
►Sabbath  communicated  at  Constantinople,  and  had  found 
it  good  to  be  there." 

On  the  same  afternoon  a  parade  had  taken  place,  and 
General  C  «  «  «  here  bricHy  addressed  the  troops  in 


QUITE  READY. 


839 


i  i 


lose  two  days  to 
Captain  Ham- 
;at  Kedaii.  Yet 
I  causes,  which 
)rdained  decrees 
lave  our  being." 
wras  ready  to  put 
le. 

"  we  quote  from 
atered  the  mess- 
ed, after  having 
m  the  following 
lay  probably  be 
illy  of  that  light 
pom.  An  orderly 

announcement, 
aond,  we  are  all 

will  come.'    *  I 

1,'  was  the  reply ; 

)tain  Hammond 
8  whole  of  the 

3hapeL" 

friend.  Captain 
loishing'  to  the 
m  the  preceding 

and  had  found 

iken  place,  anJ 
the  troops  in 


connexion  with  the  expected  assault  At  the  conclusion, 
Captaii  Hummond  was  returning  to  his  tent  with  an  officer, 
at  that  time  a  subaltern,  and  who  had  been  a  fellow-pas- 
senger with  him  on  board  the  Harbinger.  On  the  way 
that  officer  addressed  him,  "  Well,  it  is  as  I  prophesied  on 
board  the  Harbinger;  they  have  got  a  field-day  for  us." 
Captain  Hammond's  reply  was  one  of  no  little  significance, 
and  not  easily  forgotten  by  those  who  knew  the  deep  cur- 
rent of  his  thoughts.  "  Well,  I  am  quite  ready,"  he  said, 
"  for  anything  that  may  happen."  It  is  not  a  little  in- 
structive to  compare  this  short  utterance  with  that  ardent 
desire  for  prolonged  life  which  he  ha4  experienced  in  Bul- 
garia. The  request  of  his  lips  had  been  heard.  His 
home,  his  wife  and  child,  had  been  restored  to  him.  In 
the  restoxation  of  these  blessings  for  a  very  considerable 
time,  he  had  been  enabled  to  await  the  issue  of  a  return 
to  the  seat  of  war  with  perfect  acquiescence  in  the  will  of 
God.  The  growing  feeling  of  his  heart  was  now  that  of 
the  preceding  Sunday's  text — "  I  would  not  live  alway."  "  I 
have  a  desire  to  depart,  and  to  be  with  Christ,  which  is  far 
better."  "  He  was  indeed  ready  to  be  offered,  and  the  time 
of  his  departure  was  at  hand." 

It  is  not  improbable  that  the  following  marked  passage, 
in  a  little  volume  of  "  Hymns  for  a  Week,"  was  selected 
by  him  on  the  Friday  preceding  his  death : — 

"  Dost  thou  with  dread  still  greater,  shrink, 
From  pain  for  those  on  earth  so  dear. 
And  oft  with  sickening  anguish  think, 
On  all  they  yet  may  suffer  here? 


\  I 


iii 


34)0  THE  CKIMEA. 

Oh!  faithless,  unbelieving  heart  I 

Too  slow  to  trust  that  tenderest  Friend, 

Who  will  the  needful  strength  impart; 
Who  loving,  loves  unto  the  end. 

No  longer  doubt,  nor  fear,  nor  grieve ; 

Nor  on  uncertain  evils  dwell; 
Past,  present,  future  calmly  leave 

To  Him  who  will  do  all  things  well" 

He  was  very  fond  of  "  Clark's  Scripture  Promises ; "  and, 
having  lost  his  old  copy,  had  taken  pains  to  procure 
another  before  he  left  England.  When  it  was  returned, 
with  other  things,  the  marks  were  in  p.  98  of  that 
edition  (112  of  thr  ^test),  of  which  the  following  is  a 
transcript: — 

Deuteronomy  xym  11,  12. — "As  an  eagle  stirreth  up 
her  nest,  fluttere<^h  over  her  young,  spreadeth  abroad  her 
wings,  taketh  t!iem,  beareth  them  on  her  wings:  so  the 
Lord  alone  did  lead  him,  and  there  was  no  strange  god 
with  him." 

Psalm  xxxiii.  18. — "  The  eye  of  the  Lord  is  upon  them 
that  fear  him,  upon  them  that  hope  in  his  mercy." 

Isaiah  xlvi.  3,  4. — "Hearken  unto  me,  0  house  of 
Jacob,  and  all  the  remnant  of  the  house  of  Israel,  which 
are  born  by  me  from  the  belly,  which  are  carried  from 
the  womb  r  And  even  to  your  old  age  I  am  he,  and  even 
to  hoar  hairs  will  I  carry  you.  I  have  made  and  will 
bear;  even  I  will  carry  and  will  deliver  you." 

Isaiah  Ixiii.  9.^"  In  41  their  affliction  he  was  afflicted, 
and  the  angel  of  his  presence  saved  them :  in  his  love  and 


NIGHT  BEFORE  THE  ATTACK. 


341 


-  ♦  < 


friend, 
irt; 


onuses ; 


and, 

ns  to  procure 

was  returned, 

p.  98  of  that 

following  is  a 

rle  stirreth  up 

1  abroad  her 

wings:  so  the 

strange  god 

is  upon  them 

lercy." 
O  house  of 
Israel,  which 
carried  from 
he,  and  even 

ade  and  will 


in  his  pity  he  redeemed  them ;  and  he  bare  them,  and 
carried  t)iem  all  the  days  of  old/' 

Zechariah  ii.  8. — "  He  that  toucheth  you,  toucheth  the 
apple  of  his  eye." 

1  Peter  v.  7. — "  Casting  all  your  care  upon  him;  for  he 
careth  for  you." 

Matthew  x.  30. — "  The  very  hairs  of  your  head  are  all 
numbered." 

Luke  xxi.  18. — "There  shall  not  an  hair  of  your  head 
perish." 

We  all  know  the  history  of  the  first  attack.  To  that 
"  terrific  fire,"  which  was  poured  for  three  successive  days 
upon  the  devoted  city,  a  night  of  quiet  succeeded.  Out- 
wardly, at  least,  there  was  a  semblance  of  repose  through- 
out the  weary  camp.  But  it  was  like  the  rest  that 
precedes  the  uptearing  of  the  earth — ^the  rending  of  the 
everlasting  hills — the  bursting  forth  of  the  lava  flood. 
Well,  indeed,  might  we  speculate  on  the  train  that  fiUed 
each  soldier's  thoughts  that  night.  Many  jaded  forms 
there  must  have  been,  who,  under  the  gentle  hand  of 
sleep,  were  lulled  to  forgetfulness  of  the  awful  morrow. 
Some  there  may  have  been,  to  whom  sweet  rest  refused 
to  come.  Would  to  God  there  were  many  a  one,  and 
such  there  doubtless  were,  who,  at  such  an  hour,  on  that 
solemn  night-watch  before  the  day  of  terror,  could  say 
with  him  with  whom  we  have  to  do,  "  Come  life  or  come 
death,  my  hope  is  in  the  blood  which  cleanseth  from  all 


sm. 


» 


was  afflicted, 
his  love  and 


342 


IH£  SIOBMWO. 


■*?M 


•  «>!'  .0^^-: 


;xa^<-^ 


-% 


■li 


CHAPTER  XXIL 


C|t  iJterndng* 


"  Few,  few  shall  part  where  loany  meet ; 
The  snow  shall  be  their  winding-BheeV^ 
And  numy  a  turf  beneath  their  feet 

Shall  be  a  soldier's  sepulchre." 

CAMPBaLL. 


V 


•.Umf 


"  Alf  D,  behold,  a  man  came  out  of  the  camp.  And  David 
said  unto  him,  How  went  the  matter  ?  I  pray  thee,  tell 
me.  And  he  answered,  That  the  people  are  fled  from  the 
battle,  and  many  of  the  people  ak '  are  fallen  and  dead ; 

and  Saul  and  Jonathan  his  son  are  dead  also And 

David  took  hold  of  his  clothes,  and  rent  them;  and  he 
mourned,  and  wept,  and  fasted  until  even,  for  Saul  and 
for  Jonathan,  and  for  the  T)eople  of  the  Lord,  because 
they  were  fallen  by  the  sword." 

Early  on  the  morning  of  the  8th,  the  bugles  of  the 
Rifle  Brigade  sounded  for  the  parade.  It  was  Captain 
Hammond's  first  day  of  duty  in  the  Crimea.  He  had 
slept  well,  was  refreshed,  and  quite  cheerful.  He  had 
expressed  a  wish  to  Colonel  M  «  *  ♦  to  lead  his  own 
old  company,  and  it  was  placed  at  his  disposal :  and,  duly 
equipped  and  accoutred,  he  marched  down  to  the  trenches 
with  the  battalion.    A  portion  of  them,  as  before  stated, 


THE  RIFLES  ADVANCE  TO  ATTACK. 


343 


were  to  act  as  coverers  to  the  column  of  attack;  the  re- 
mainder were  to  be  held  in  reserve ;  and  for  this  duty 
Colonel  M  ♦  ♦  *  had  selected  those  ofl&cers  whose  recent 
arrival  rendered  them  imperfectly  acquainted  with  the 
trenches.  Among  these  was  Captain  Hammond.  The 
reserve  was  directed  to  occupy  a  portion  of  the  third 
parallel,  where,  though  under  fire,  they  were  compara- 
tively safe.  There  they  remained,  conversing  cheerfully, 
and  watching  the  troops,  for  an  hour  or  so.  Suddenly 
word  was  passed  for  the  Rifles  to  come  to  the  front,  as 
the  assaulting  party  required  support.  The  battalion  rose, 
and  filed  off,  under  a  heavy  direct  and  flanking  fire,  into 
the  fifth  parallel,  through  an  intricate  maze  of  trenches 
and  approaches.  Here  there  was  a  momentary  pause. 
Then  the  dark  column,  clearing  the  parapet,  issued  from 
the  trench.  Amid  a  storm  of  shot  and  shell,  bringing 
death  and  destruction  on  all  sides,  the  riflemen  rush  across 
the  intermediate  space.  Those  who  escape  that  iron  hail- 
storm gain  the  glacis.  At  the  edge  of  the  ditch,  two 
officers  are  resting,  side  by  side,  to  gather  breath.  The 
lips  of  one  of  them  are  moving  in  prayer.  One  moment 
more,  and  he  ascends  the  scaling-ladder.  On  the  summit 
of  the  parapet  his  hand  is  grasped  by  a  friend.  They  had 
not  seen  one  another  for  years :  it  was  a  strange  meeting. 
But  this  was  no  time  for  words  of  welcome :  all  was  in 
confusion.  After  a  few  sentences  about  rallying  the  men, 
Captain  Hammond  passes  on.  Here,  for  some  little  time, 
he  is  seen  vainly  endeavouring  to  restore  order.  His  exer- 
tions at  this  time  were  observed  by  General  W  *  *  *, 
who,  unaware  of  his  fate,  subsequently  recommended  him 
in  orders.     Soon  after  this  he  is  seen  by  another  officer 


su 


THE  STOltMING. 


of  the  Rifles  (Mr  B  «  «  «,  himself  also  now  no  more). 
Captain  Hammond  was  then  suffering  great  pain,  probably 
from  a  contusion  of  the  hand ;  and  B  «  «  «  told  him  he 
ought  to  go  to  the  rear.  He  said,  "This  is  no  time  for 
that  \"  and  ordered  B  «  «  «  to  collect  some  men  and 
try  the  other  flank  of  the  Redan. 

Pressing  forward  then  himself  into  the  heart  of  the 
work,  with  a  colour-serjeant  and  one  or  two  devoted  men 
who  had  bound  up  their  fate  in  his,  his  sword  is  seen 
flashing  far  in  advance  in  personal  encounter.  "I  saw 
an  officer  of  the  Rifles,"  said  one,  immediately  after  the 
action,  "  whose  name  I  do  not  know — a  fine  tall  man — 
behaving  heroically."  Once  or  twice  in  that  deadly  fray 
his  form  appears  through  the  embrasures ;  and,  for  a  few 
moments,  before  his  strong  arm  the  Russian  foeman  retires 
and  closes  again.  But  to  him  neither  earthly  crown,  nor 
medal,  nor  grateful  country's  praise,  is  in  store  for  these 
moments  of  devotion.  The  deadly  bayonets  close  around 
him,  the  sword  drops  from  the  uplifted  hand,  and  he  sinks 
into  the  arms  of  an  officer  of  the  41st.  But  with  angels, 
and  seraphs,  and  the  hosts  of  heaven,  who  were  waiting 
"  on  the  other  side  of  the  river,"  there  were  hymns  of  joy 
that  day.  Eye  hath  not  seen,  nor  ear  heard,  neither  hath 
it  entered  the  heart  of  man,  the  things  that  God  hath  pre- 
pared for  that  happy  ransomed  spirit.  "  And,  lo,  a  Lamb 
stood  on  mount  Sion,  and  with  him  an  hundred  and  forty 
and  four  thousand,  having  his  Father's  name  written  in 
their  foreheads.  And  I  heard  a  voice  from  heaven,  as  the 
voice  of  many  waters;  and  I  heard  the  voice  of  harpers 
harping  with  their  harps ;  and  they  sung  as  it  were  a  new 
Bong  before  th(^  throne ;  and  no  man  could  loam  that  song 


THE  SEARCH. 


345 


but  the  hundred  and  forty  and  four  thousand  wliich  were 
redeemed  from  the  earth/'  "  And,  lo,  a  great  multitude, 
which  no  man  could  number,  of  all  nations,  and  kindreds, 
and  people,  and  tongues,  stood  before  the  throne,  and 
before  the  Lamb,  clothed  with  white  robes,  and  palms  in 
their  hands.  They  shall  hunger  no  more,  neither  shall 
they  thirst  any  more;  neither  shall  the  sun  light  on  them, 
nor  any  heat.  For  the  Lamb,  which  is  in  the  midst  of 
the  throne,  shall  feed  them,  and  shall  lead  them  unto 
living  fountains  of  waters ;  and  God  shall  wipe  away  all 
tears  from  their  eyes." 

No  need  to  speak  at  length  of  that  miserable  day.  No 
need  to  dwell  upon  the  gloom  that  pervaded  the  British 
camp.  Yet,  merging  the  national  disappointment  in  the 
grief  of  personal  loss,  the  foot  of  friendship  went  forth  in 
the  grey  twilight  to  seek,  among  the  slain  in  that  fatal 
ditch,  some  comrade,  some  beloved  brother.  Before  night- 
fall, an  effort  was  made  to  recover  the  body.  Captain 
R  «  «  «,  an  officer  of  the  72d  Highlanders,  at  much  risk, 
took  with  him  a  party  of  men,  and  made  search  in  vain. 
In  the  morning,  very  early,  a  party  of  Riflemen  approached 
from  the  works  towards  the  camp.  The  precious  object 
of  their  search  had  been  found.  An  expression  of  sweet 
peace  rested  on  the  placid  features.  A  very  small  punc- 
ture, close  to  th'j  heart,  told  how  instantaneous  must  have 
been  his  death.  Almost  upon  the  wound,  a  locket,  bathed 
in  his  heart's  blood,  was  lying;  and  many  of  those,  who 
looked  through  their  tears,  must  have  read,  in  that  fixed 
calmness  of  death,  the  seal  of  the  promise,  "  Mark  thft 
perfect  man,  and  behold  the  upright,  for  the  end  of  that 
man  is  peace" 


34(> 


THE  STOKMIKG. 


\ 


Yet  for  him,  over  whom  the  heavenly  host  rejoiced  that 
day,  why  should  we  mourn?  Should  we  not  rather  take 
up  the  song  of  praise?  Should  we  not  rather,  while  we 
lift  up  our  hearts  in  thankful  gratitude  to  Him  who  loved 
him  and  redeemed  him,  give  utterance  to  thoughts  such 
as  these: — 

"To  weep  for  him?  to  weep  for  whom? 

The  loved  on  earth — the  saved  in  heaven; 
Triumphant  o'er  the  narrow  tomb — 

His  sorrows  past — his  sins  forgiven— 
What!  weep  for  him?  it  must  not  be — 
Our  tears  would  blot  his  victory.  i 

"Nay!  hymn  his  flight  in  rapturous  songs; 

For  he,  in  death's  embrace,  hath  done 
With  human  griefs,  and  fears,  and  wrongs; 

His  fight  is  fought — his  triumph  won; 
The  immortal  crown  is  round  his  brow; 
He  dwells  beside  the  Saviour  now. 

"  Weep  not!  or  weep  as  those  should  weep 
Whose  hope  is  stronger  than  their  sorrow: 
To-night  our  loved  and  lost  ones  sleep. 

But  Christ  will  bring  them  back  to-morrow ! 
We  shall  not  long  lament  them  here; 
Our  home  is  in  a  brighter  sphere." 

Moultrie. 


t-. 


Then  let  us,  while  our  hearts  bum  with  these  thoughts, 
follow  him  to  his  place  of  rest — 


lllE  BUiUAL  i'LACE.  947 

The  place  is  silent;  rarely  sound 

Is  heard  those  craggy  hills  arourd; 

No  hum  of  business,  dull  and  loud. 

Nor  murmur  of  the  passing  crowd, 

Nor  soldiers'  drum,  nor  trumpet's  sweU, 

From  yonder  fallen  citadel. 

Nor  sound  of  human  toil  or  strife,  ^ 

In  that  lone  valley,  spe;  ks  of  life; 

Nor  breaks  the  silence,  calm  and  deep. 

Where  thou,  beneath  thy  burial  stone 

Art  laid,  in  that  unstartled  sleep 

That  living  eye  hath  never  known. 

In  one  of  those  deep  ravines  near  Sebastopol,  undis- 
turbed now  by  other  sound  than  bell  of  browsing  sheep, 
is  the  burial  ground  of  the  Light  Division.  Thither  very 
shortly  the  precious  remains  were  borne  to  their  last 
resting-place,  with  all  a  soldier's  honours.  A  white  stone 
cross  was  placed  over  the  grave;  and  at  its  foot  a  few 
summer  flowers  were  planted.  These  simple  lines  record 
his  early  death  and  blessed  end: — 

"SAOBliD  TO  THE  MEMOBT 

OP 

OAPT.  M.  M.  HAMMOND,  2d  BATT?  B.  R, 

WHO  WAS  KILLED  IN  THE  ASSAULT  ON 

THE  BEDAN, 

8th  SEPTEMBER  1865: 

AGED  31  YEABS. 

*  Blessed  are  the  dead  which  die  in  the  Lord.'" 


In  the  country  church  of  Nonington,  the  parish  of  his  own 


348 


lUE  tiXOUMING. 


home,    a  tablet  has  also  been   erected,        ,r?iig  vhese 
words: — 

"TO  THE  PRAISE  OF  THE  OLOBT  OF  HIS  ORAOl^ 

WHICH  GAVE  A 

'    OHSISTIAN  LUSTRE  TO  THE  LIFE, 

AND  A 

BLESSEDNESS  TO  THE  HONOURABLE  DEATH; 

OF 

ICAXIMIUAN  MONTAGU  HAMMOND, 

CAPTAIN  IN  THE  2d  BATTALION  OP  THE  RIFLE  BRIOAPf!; 

THIRD  SON  OF  W.  0.  HAMMOND,  ESQ., 

OF 

ST  ALBAN'S  court,  in  this  PARISH. 

HE  FELL  AT  THE  ATTACK  ON  THE  REDAN, 

BEFORE  SEBASTOPOL, 

SEPT.  8th,  I860:  AGED  81. 

'They  which  receive  abundance  of  grace,  and  of  the 
gift  of  righteousness,  shall  reign  in  life  by  one,  Jesus 
Christ' (Rom.  V.  17)." 


I 


'I£JS11MUMAL  LETTfifiS. 


349 


CHAPTER  XXm 


Cwtimonial  f  dtori 


"FArewelll 
We  hang  this  garland  on  the  gmrt 
Where  thon  art  laid." 


TATinu 


And  now,  perhaps,  that  we  have  followed  this  Christian 
soldier  through  his  short  but  speaking  life,  it  might  not 
be  out  of  place  to  introduce  a  few  of  those  numerous 
letters,  in  which,  after  his  departure,  many  a  sorrowing 
friend  strove,  as  he  would  have  done,  to  lighten  the 
pressure  of  heavy  grief,  by  paying  each  their  several 
tributes  to  his  worth. 

Not  alone  on  his  own  immediate  circle ;  not  alone  on  his 
regiment;  not  alone  on  the  bosom  of  his  family,  was  the 
strong  hand  of  grief  laid  by  his  early  removal ;  but  there 
were  those  who,  with  quick  perception  of  the  sterling  value 
of  his  character,  holding  positions  of  trust  themselves, 
mourned  his  loss  upon  larger  than  mere  personal  grounds. 
One  who  holds  high  office  in  the  state,  and  no  speaker 
of  light  words  without  consideration,  oii  hearing  his  name 
among  those  who  had  fallen,  said  of  him,  "  that  he  looked 
to  him  as  the  man  whose  influence  would  be  felt  to  be  of 
untold  benefit  to  the  army;"  and  again,  on  another  occa- 


350 


TKSTIMONIAL  LETTERS. 


sioii,  in  almost  similar  words — "  that  he  looked  to  him  as 
the  regenerator  of  the  army."  Another,  who  faithfully 
discharged  his  sacred  office  as  a  minister  of  Christ,  during 
the  whole  of  the  Crimean  campaign,  said,  in  words  scarcely 
less  valuable,  "  Of  course,  I  feel  for  the  family;  but  it  is  for 
the  nation  that  I  feel  most  I  look  upon  his  death  as  a 
public  calamity." 

Colonel,  now  Major-G^eneral  L  •  «  «,  who  for  some 
years  commanded  the  battalion  in  which  Captain  Ham- 
mond was,  says,  in  a  letter  from  which  we  have  already 
made  many  extracts: — 

**  October  SO,  1855. 

.  "  It  was  my  happiness  to  be  associated  with  him,  both  in 
public  and  private,  for  the  last  ten  years  of  his  life ;  and  I 
may  truly  say,  that  some  of  my  happiest,  days  were  spent 
in  his  society.  Many  a  time  has  he  soothed  my  troubled 
spirit,  with  a  tenderness  I  shall  never  forget;  many  a  time 
sympathised  in  my  trials;  while  his  even  temper,  and  his 
peculiarly  bright  smile,  gladdened  my  heart.  Very 
pleasant  was  our  intercourse;  and  truly  delightful  was 
it  to  see  his  rapid  growth  in  grace,  and  the  consistency  of 
Ms  course,  "  shining  more  and  more  unto  the  perfect  day." 
Nor  was  his  bearing,  as  an  officer^  less  to  be  admired  from 
the  heartiness  with  which  he  acted;  combining  great  firm- 
ness with  kindness;  and  obtaining  considerable  influence 
over  both  officers  and  men.  The  day  on  which  he  fell 
within  the  Redan,  the  service  lost  an  officer  of  no  common 
merit.  .... 

**From  the  day  that  he  first  joined  with  us  in  our 
searching  the  Scriptures,   he  never  looked  back.     He 


TESTIMONIAL  LETTERS. 


351 


became  first  a  diligent  inquirer  into  the  truth  of  revealed 
religion,  and  afterwards  a  teacher  in  the  regimental  garrison 
Sunday  school.  His  progress  in  knowledge  was  remark- 
able. As  the  light  of  truth  broke  upon  him,  he  acted 
upon  it  with  the  strength,  forwardness,  and  courage  for 
which  he  had  ever  been  distinguished.  He  never  seemed 
to  falter  or  to  hesitate,  and  those  who  watched  his  career 
with  the  most  interest  never  felt  any  fears  on  his  behalf. 
There  was  a  remarkable  consistency  in  his  course,  which 
made  itself  felt,  and  acquired  for  him  the  respect  of  those 
who  differed  widely  from  him  on  the  subject  of  religion. 
....  We  know  the  spirit  in  which  he  went  out  to  the 
Crimea.  But  he  so  impressed  everybody  with  his  earnest- 
ness in  whatever  he  had  to  do,  that  Captain  N  «  ♦  ♦, 
wilting  from  Malta,  said,  *  Hammond  passed  on  his  way 
to  the  Crimea,  full  of  military  ardour.' " 

Colonel  M  *  ♦  ♦,  of  the  Eifle  Brigade,  in  the  remainder 
of  a  letter  of  which  the  substance  has  in  part  been  given, 

says: — 

.  ..."  I  recollect  seeing  him  last  at  a  distance  in  the 
trench,  while  I  was  proceeding  over  the  parapet;  and  I 
saw  him  no  more,  in  consequence  of  the  confusion  attend- 
ing the  struggle.  All  I  could  afterwards  learn  of  his  fate 
lead  me  to  suppose  that,  after  clearing  the  parapet,  he 
must  have  rushed  impetuously  on  the  enemy's  ranks, 
followed  by  a  few  to  meet  overpowering  numbers,  the 
wliile  exhibiting  a  daring  seldom  equalled  and  never 
surpassed  in  the  history  of  strife.  Closing  an  exemplary 
life,  he  fell,  an  he  had  lived,  an  honour  to  his  country.  I 
had  barely  time  to  renew  luy  iurmcr  iicquaiiitiiucc  with  one 


)    I 


*        ! 


352 


TESTIMONIAL  LETTERS. 


SO  noble,  when  he  was  suddenly  snatched  from  us.  The 
heroism  attending  his  fatal  end  sheds  so  bright  a  halo  on 
his  past  life,  that,  while  his  loss  will  occasion  heart-rending 
sorrow,  yet  there  is  consolation  in  the  consciousness  that 
none  could  be  better  prepared  to  meet  his  Maker  and 
eternal  liffe.  In  the  ravine  where  many  of  the  Light 
Division  now  rest,  two  plain  white  stone  crosses  mark  the 
spot  where  Maxy  and  *R  «  «  «  rest.  The  stationary 
nature  of  the  present  war  has  enabled  us,  until  now,  to  pay 
this  slight  tribute  of  esteem  to  the  memory  of  our  departed 
comrades.  And,  as  respect  for  the  dead  is  universal  in 
Russia,  these  two  crosses  will  never  be  disturbed. — ^Believe 
me,  with  the  deepest  sympathy,  yours  very  sincerely, 

"A.  F.  M  *  ♦  *. 
t  "Camp,  Sebastopol,  November  36,  1855." 

From  Major  Woodford,  R  B. : — 

''  "Dear  Sir, —  ....  I  regret  much  that  I  had  never 
been  for  any  length  of  time  in  the  society  of  your  brother, 
than  whom  it  would  be  difficult  to  find  a  better,  truer,  or 
braver  man.  He  had  only  joined  the  2d  battalion  on  the 
5th  September.  I  had  seen  him  on  the  6th,  when  he 
came  and  sat  in  my  tent  for  a  considerable  time.  On  the 
morning  of  the  8th,  we  all  paraded  together  in  camp,  and 
he  seemed  in  good  spirits,  and  prepared  for  anything.  .  . 
,v  "  You  must  be  aware  that  no  dead,  or  even  wounded, 
could  be  removed  from  the  neighbourhood  of  the  Redan 
till  after  midnight,  when  it  was  discovered  that  the  enemy 
were  evacuating.     Efforts  were  made  to  discover  the  body 

*L5ectena!it  Ryder,  Rifle  Brigade,  whose  gallantry  on  this  occasion  is 
mentioned  in  a  subsequent  extract,  p.  303  of  this  volume. 


TESTIMONIAL  LETTERS. 


353 


from  us.  The 
right  a  halo  on 
n  heart-rending 
isciousness  that 
his  Maker  and 
r  of  the  Light 
rosses  mark  the 
The  stationary 
intil  now,  to  pay 
of  our  departed 

is  universal  in 
urbed. — ^Believe 
^  sincerely,    \ 
F.  M  «  «  «. 
55." 


at  I  had  never 

|of  your  brother, 

better,  truer,  or 

lattalion  on  the 

6th,  when  he 

time.  On  the 
|er  in  camp,  and 

anything.  .  . 

even  wounded, 
of  the  Redan 

that  the  enemy 

icover  the  body 

Ion  this  occasion  is 


that  night,  but  it  was  impossible.  I  went  into  the  Eedan 
just  before  daylight,  and  had  the  melancholy  duty  of  find- 
ing our  two  poor  fellows,  and  having  them  earned  to  the 
camp.  Your  brother  lay  in  the  ditch,  and  all  that  I  could 
find  left  on  his  person  was  a  locket  and  chain,  smeared 
with  his  heart's  blood,  and  which  was  carefully  preserved. 
Captain  B  «  «  *,  of  the  41  st  regiment,  yesterday  informed 
me  that  your  brother  died  almost  in  his  arms;  for  he  caught 
him  as  he  fell,  having  come  back  running  from  the  inside 
of  the  Redan,  evidently  very  dangerously  wounded,  with 
both  his  arms  out;  and  as  he  reached  the  parapet,  life  was 
exhausted,  and  he  fell  into  the  ditch,  half  supported  by 
Captain  B  *  *  *,  and  such  was  his  end.  To  Jmow  that 
your  brother  behaved  nobly  and  did  his  duty  to  the  last, 
will,  I  hope,  be  some  little  consolation  to  you  and  aU  his 
family ;  and  also  to  know  how  much  and  deservedly  he  is 
regretted  by  us,  and  all  who  knew  him,  for  his  many  noble 

and  good  qualities 

"  I  have  it  from  General  W  *  *  *,  that  he  is  personally 
grateful  to  a  tall  dark  officer  of  Jiie  Rifles  (he  did  not 
know  your  brother),  who  stood  by  hhn  ir.  the  Redan,  and 
endeavoured  to  assist  him  in  fora;  Lg  the  f,:  a;  which  was, 

however,  in  the  confusion,  quL'c  Impossible I  am 

much  grieved  at  the  sad  fate  lit;  u'Ot  with,  after  so  much 
bravery,  which  will  long  and  ever,  1  hope,  be  remembered 
by  Riflemen. — Believe  me,  my  dear  Sir,  very  sincerely 
yours,  C.  Woodford."* 

*  While  these  sheets  were  going  through  the  press,  ijieutenant- Colonel 
Woodford,  the  writer  of  this  letter,  has  fallen,  as  he  Id  lived,  in  his 
country's  st-rviee.  Afttr  a  period  of  seventetn  years  in  tlie  army,  comprising 
the  campni^ns  of  1852-3  in  ?outh  Africa  (medal),  and  tl'c  -campaign  in  the 
Criina,  during  which  he  acted  as  Dcputy-Adjutant-Quartev-MasteT-Qeneral 


3.U 


TESTIMONIAL  LETTERS. 


k 


ti 


From  Captain  B  «  «  ♦,  4!lst  Eegiment: — 

"  2d  Division,  9th  November ,  1866.  , 

"  My  deab  Sir, —  ....  We  were,  many  of  us,  officers 
and  men,  standing  inside  the  Eedan  at  the  time  Captain 
Hammond  was  wounded.  Your  brother  was  in  advance 
of  most  of  us,  and  the  last  I  saw  of  him  was  when  he 
came  running  back,  with  both  arms  uplifted,  towards  the 
ditch.  He  came  directly  in  the  line  where  I  was  standing, 
and  I  then  caught  him,  to  prevent  his  falling  into  the 
ditch;  he  was  perfectly  dead.  Death  must  have  been 
instantaneous.  I  do  not  think  he  could  have  suflfered 
anything  like  pain  ....  His  sword  dropped  from  his 
hand,  when  I  ran  forward  and  picked  it  up,  and  afterwards 

gave  it  to  one  of  his  brother  officers — Bellev  e,  &c., 

F.  C.  B  *  *  *. 

From  Lieut-Colonel  G  «  •  *,  90th  Light  Infantry: — 

"  Camp  BEFORE  Sebastopol, 
September  11,  1855. 

"  My  DEAR  Mr  Hammond, — Sad  indeed  was  our  list  of 
casualties  on  the  Stii;  but  saddest  of  all  was  the  scanty 
but  too  true  information  I  got  last  night,  that  my  very 
dear  friend,  poor  Maxy,  was  killed.  Poor  fellow !  he  had 
only  just  arrived  here ;  and  when  I  s'ood  on  the  crest  of 
the  Kedan,  turning  round  to  see  if  supports  were  coming, 

at  head  quarters,  and  wan  wounded  at  the  Redan  (medal,  Brevet-Major  and 
Lieutenant-Colonel,  and  Sardinian  medal).  He  fell  while  successfully 
charging  a  battery  of  Sepoy  mutineers,  in  the  recent  attack  under  General 
Wyndhaiu  before  Cawnpore. 


TESTIMONIAL  LETTERS. 


955 


ember,  1866. 

ay  of  us,  officers 
le  time  Captain 
was  in  advance 
m.  was  when  he 
ed,  towards  the 

I  was  standing, 
falling  into  the 
oust  have  been 
I  have  suflfered 
opped  from  his 
),  and  afterwards 
.  — Believe,  &c., 

CB  *  *  *. 

rht  Infantry: — 

Sebastopol, 
11,  1855. 

I  was  our  list  of 
was  the  scanty 
,,  that  my  very 
fellow !  he  had 
on  the  crest  of 


;s  were  commg, 


I,  Brevet-Major  and 
while  successfully 
ok  under  Qeueial 


I  found  your  son,  my  old  friend,  coming  up  the  ladder, 
followed  by  a  handf td  of  his  men.  I  greeted  him,  and 
caught  his  hand;  and  at  once  entered  on  some  military 
suggestions  about  using  the  bayonet  on  the  right,  and 
stopping  the  men  from  useless  firing.  I  added,  *  But  you 
are  senior  to  me  now;'  and  so  he  passed  on,  and  with  him 
poor  young  Ryder.  In  a  very  short  time  they  were  both 
killed  by  the  enemy.  Fine  fellow  !  he  was  pressing  on  so 
liard — too  hard.  He  little  knew  or  cared  for  our  mur- 
derous position.  I  thought  you  would  like  a  line  from 
me,  who,  perhaps,  was  the  last  that  ever  shook  his  hand 
alive.  Our  meeting  was  very  extraordinary ;  our  parting 
ir  this  world  very  melancholy.  But  you,  Mr  Hammond, 
and  all  your  family,  have  this  consolation — you  know 

his  spirit  is  at  rest Out  of  the  nineteen  officers  I 

commanded  at  the  assault,  fifteen  were  either  killed  or 
wounded.  .  .  .  . — ^^Yours  very  sincerely, 

"RG  *  «  *." 

From  Major  N  ♦  «  ♦,  Eifle  Brigade: — 

"  October  21,  1857. 

"  My  dear  Hammond, —  .  ;  ;  .  A  short  time  since  I 
WHS  talking  to  Captain  D  *  *  *,  on  half- pay  from  the 
90th  Begiment,  who  was  in  the  Bedan  on  the  8th  Sep- 
tember. He  mentioned  the  conduct  of  one  of  our  officers 
as  having  particularly  struck  him.  He  said  he  never  saiu 
so  brave  a  man,  and  that  he  fought  desperately.  He  went 
up  to  him  after  he  was  wounded,  and  found  that  he  was 
killed ;  but,  to  use  his  own  words,  *  that  he  looked  just 
as  if  he  was  asleep.'  From  the  description  he  gave,  I  am 
quite  sure  that  this  was  Maxy."  -  *         ^.  ,.... 


356 


TESTLMONIAL  LBTTERS. 


it 


From  Lieut.-Colonel  G  «  «  «,  R  B. : — 


"  My  dear  W  ♦  *  ♦, — From  F  *  «  ♦  6  pen  you  will 
have  heard  all  the  particulars  of  poor  dear  Maxy's  death. 
My  chief  object  in  writing  is  to  bear  testimony  to  his 
devoted  gallantry.  I  shook  hands  with  him  on  the  fifth 
parallel,  and  was  talking  to  him  when  the  Biflemen  were 
ordered  to  advance,  who,  led  as  they  were  by  your  dear 
brother,  rushed  to  the  assault  as  did  no  men  that  day. 
....  The  2d  battalion,  sent  up  to  the  support,  behaved 
nobly.     Maxy's  gallant  behaviour  was  remarked  by  alL" 


From  Dr  F  «  «  *,  R  B. :- 


4 


The  preceding  portion  of  this  letter  has  been  quoted 
before,  either  in  substance  or  in  letter.    It  is  resumed : — 

"  After  bidding  good-bye  to  some  of  the  officers,  I 
hastened  to  the  hospital,  and  avoided  meeting  beloved 
Hammond.  Colonel  M  #  *  *  will  tell  you,  from  his 
own  personal  knowledge,  of  the  bravery  and  gallantry  of 
your  darling  son.  He  was  killed  on  the  parapet  of  the 
Redan,  by  a  bayonet  wound  into  the  heart,  while  (a  3  I 
1(  arn  from  a  soldier  who  was  near  him)  making  a  path- 
way for  the  soldiers  through  the  parapet.  He  was  found 
in  the  ditch,  into  which  he  must  have  fallen  or  been 
pushed  by  the  numbers  that  surrounded  him,  and  amongst 
whom  his  ^word  did  fell  work.  His  death  must  have 
been  instantaneous.  He  was  also  in  the  act  of  cheering 
on  the  men  of  other  regiments  who  were  retiring.  His 
body  was  found  this  morning  in  the  ditch  of  the  Redan 
by  Major  W  ♦  ♦  ♦ ;   Captain  B  «  «  «  and  the  latter 


TESTIMONIAL  LETTERS. 


357 


I  « £  pen  you  will 

lear  Maxy's  death. 

testimony  to  his 

him  on  the  fifth 

the  Kifiemen  were 

irere  by  your  dear 

no  men  that  day. 

support,  behaved 

jmarked  by  all." 

has  been  quoted 
It  is  resumed : — 

)f  the  officers,  I 
meeting  beloved 

you,  from  his 
and  gallantry  of 

parapet  of  the 
urt,  while  (ai  I 
making  a  path- 
He  was  found 

fallen  or  been 
ini,  and  amongst 
eath  must  have 

act  of  cheerinjic 
B  retiring.  His 
:h  of  the  Redan 

and  the  latter 


having  taken  a  locket  which  he  wore,  which  I  send  you 
with  his  watch,  and  other  little  mementos  of  one  for  ever 
dear  to  my  heart.  Sebastopol  in  flames  this  morning 
saddened  my  heart,  and  drove  me  to  tears ;  for  it  had 
taken  from  me  my  beloved  friend.  I  saw  him  put  into 
his  coffin,  and  followed  him  to  his  grave  in  the  adjoining 
ravine,  and  buried  him  side  by  side  with  young  Ryder, 
who  was  also  killed  in  the  Redan.  All  our  officers,  his 
own  old  company,  many  from  the  1st  battalion,  and 
GeTieral  Codrington,  paid  the  last  office  of  respect  to  one 
whom  every  one  in  the  regiment — officer  and  soldier — 
respected  and  loved.  And,  who  ever  knew  that  noble 
fellow — that  shining  Christian,  Maxy  Hammond — but 
loved  him  ?  The  blank  can  never  be  filled  up  to  me  again 
in  this  world,  for  we  loved  each  other  with  a  brother's 
love.  He  died  in  the  Lord,  and  shall  ever  be  with  Him. 
This  is  our  abiding  comfort — this  alone  sustains  the  heart 
under  the  oppressive  cloud  of  affliction.  One  remark 
occurs  to  me  during  our  last  conversation.  He  said,  that 
of  late  he  had  received  peculiar  comfort  from  the  doc- 
trine of  election,  which  had  occupied  his  mind  very  much 
during  the  passage ;  and  that  at  Constantinople  he  had 
had  a  precious  opportunity  of  partaking  of  the  Lord's 
Supper.  His  servant,  in  tears,  told  me  this  morning  that 
he  had  called  him  in  to  prayer  in  his  tent  yesterday 
morning  before  going  out.  He  was  found  watching,  and 
desirous  to  gather  others  in. — Ever  faithfully  yours. 


M 


"  John  F  «  «  «. 

From  a  private  in  the  2d  battalion.  Rifle  Brigade,  late 
servant  to  Colonel  L  «  «  «: —         .    . 


k 


I   I 


358 


TESTIMONIAL  LETTEHS. 


\ 


"  Camp  before  Sebastopol, 
September  10,  1855. 

"  It  is  with  deep  regret  that  I  write  to  communicate 
the  sad  account  of  poor  Captain  Hammond's  death.  He 
was  killed  on  the  8th  in  storming  the  Bedan.  He  led  his 
men  most  gallantly  to  the  charge.  •  The  battle  was  fought 
on  the  8th ;  commenced  at  twelve  o'clock,  and  did  not  end 
till  seven  in  the  evening.  It  was  an  awful  sight;  our  regi- 
ment suffered  very  severely.  We  had  two  officers  killed  and 
seven  wounded,  and  about  250  or  300  in  men.  Sebastopol 
is  taken.  The  south  side  belongs  to  the  allies.  It  has 
been  a  dearly  purchased  place.  The  valuable  lives  that 
have  been  sacrificed  this  war !  Oh  !  the  horrors  of  war ! 
no  tongue  can  tell  nor  pen  describe. 

"  Poor  Captain  Hammond  disembarked  from  on  board 
ship  at  Balaklava  on  the  6th.  I  went  down  to  meet  him 
with  Colonel  L  «  «  v's  horse.  He  shook  hands  with 
me.  I  spoke  to  him  on  the  morning  of  the  8th.  He 
said,  *  I  have  to  face  the  enemy  in  earnest.'  It  was  the 
first  time  he  had  done  a  trench,  which  was  against  him, 
in  being  unacquainted  with  the  nature  of  the  works.  But 
this  did  not  alter  his  fate  if  he  had  known  the  works  ever 
so.  He  was  a  noble  soldier,  a  good  Christian,  beloved  by 
his  brother  officers,  and  his  men  speak  in  the  highest 
terms  of  him.  What  a  consolation  to  know  his  peace  was 
made  with  his  God,  and  he  is  now  at  that  better  and 
heavenly  place  where  all  is  peace  and  happiness.  My 
sincere  prayer  to  Almighty  God  is,  that  He  will  guide, 
guard,  and  protect  poor  Mrs  M.  Hammond,  and  give  her 
consolation  under  the  very  severe  trial  which  it  has  pleased 
the  Lord  for  her  to  undergo.     It  is  heart-rending  to  tear 


TESTIMONIAL  LETTERS. 


359 


Sebastopol, 

10, 1855. 
;o  communicate 
id's  death.  He 
an.  He  led  his 
sittle  was  fought 
and  did  not  end 
sight;  ourregi- 
fficers  killed  and 
en.  Sebastopol 
e  allies.  It  has 
uable  lives  that 
horrors  of  war ! 

L  from  on  board 
wn  to  meet  him 
)ok  hands  with 
»f  the  8th.  He 
ist.'  It  was  the 
ras  against  him, 
;he  works.     But 

the  works  ever 
tian,  beloved  by 
in  the  highest 
»w  his  peace  was 
;hat  better  and 
happiness.    My 

He  will  guide, 
d,  and  give  her 
3h  it  has  pleased 
-rending  to  tear 


husband  and  wife,  father  and  child,  from  one  another. 
The  Lord  has  promised  to  be  a  husband  to  the  widow  and 
a  father  to  the  fatherless.  Yes,  His  promises  are  sure  to 
those  who  trust  in  Christ  for  salvation 

"  I  cannot  express  my  sorrow  for  the  loss  your  family 
have  to  sustain  in  the  loss  of  so  good  a  man  as  Captain 
Hammond  was.  I  have  wrote  in  the  best  manner  I  could 
to  communicate  this  sad  intelligence  to  you ;  for  I  felt 
such  a  shock,  knowing  him  so  well.  When  I  lived  with 
Colonel  L  «  «  ♦  we  were  as  one  family.  It  is  a  great 
blow.  I  can  say  no  more.  You  shall  all  have  my  prayers, 
and  the  God  of  heaven  hears  and  answers  those  that  put 
their  trust  in  Him 

"  How  good  the  providence  of  God  has  been  to  me, 
when  so  many  thousands  have  fallen  and  I  left !  Thank 
God  for  all  his  mercies.  I  very  often  think  of  you  all, 
when  laying  in  my  hard  bed  here. — Believe  me,  your  sin- 
cere friend  and  well-wisher, 

"WW     «   ♦." 

From  Surgeon  0  «  «  «,  Eifle  Brigade : — 

"  My  dear  Sir, —  ....  I  trust  that  the  members  of 
the  late  Captain  Hammond's  family  will  accept  from  me, 
though  an  entire  stranger,  the  expression  of  profound 
sympathy  with  them:  sympathy  which  is  felt  by  every 
man,  ofl&cer  and  private,  in  the  regiment.  On  the  evening 
of  the  8th,  when  the  Kifles  mustered  at  their  camp,  and 
it  was  known  that  Captain  Hammond  had  fallen,  I  was 
most  painfully  reminded  of  the  last  interview  I  had  with 
him.     On  the  day  I  left  Fort  Cumberland,  early  in  July, 


S60 


TESTmONIAL  LETTERS. 


Captain  Hammond  came  to  my  quarters  to  say  '  good-bye.' 
Several  lithographic  drawings  were  on  the  walls  of  my 
sitting-room,  one  of  them  being  a  sf»rt  of  chart  of  the 
Redan  Battery.  Whilst  I  was  packing  ivy  trunks,  Captain 
Hammond  remained  silently  for  about  a  quarter  of  an 
hour  examining  the  plan.  At  last  he  said  with  a  smile, 
*  I  wonder  you  hang  this  on  the  wall.  It  is  enough  to 
alarm  all  your  friends,  who  expect  to  go  there.'  I  replied 
that  it  looked  indeed  like  a  forlorn  hope,  but  that  the 
young  officers  at  the  fort  were  never  tired  of  joking  in 
reference  to  the  difficulty  of  storming  the  embankments. 
Captain  Hammond  remarked,  still  with  a  smile,  and  yet 
with  much  of  solemnity,  *  Well !  I  suppose  we  sliall  all  be 
going  out  with  the  next  draft.  If  we  are  in  the  storm- 
ing party,  some  of  us  will  be  left  there.  Perhaps  I  may: 
God  alone  knows.' 

*'  When  the  draft  under  Captain  Hammond's  command 
was  ordered  to  embark,  their  destination  was  supposed  to 
be  Malta.     At  Malta  the  draft  was  ordered  to  the  Crimea, 

and  arrived  on  the  evening  of  the  5th  September 

On  the  morning  of  the  8th,  when  the  regiment  was  about 
to  march  to  the  assault,  Captain  Hammond's  demeanour 
was  such  as  you,  who  know  him  so  much  better  than  I, 
may  readily  understand.  Cheerful,  yet  serious,  a  man  at 
peace  and  in  charity  with  ail  men ;  a  soldier,  resolved  to 
perform  the  stem  duty  required  by  his  country.  It  was 
at  this  time  that  Lieutenant  Eyre  addressed  him  in  the 
language  mentioned  in  the  letter  to  which  you  have  alluded. 
The  reply  was,  *  I  am  quite  ready.'  I  may  further  men- 
tion, that  the  belief  of  the  regiment  (who  still  constantly 
talk  of  it)  is,  that  in  mairliiuu'  down  witli  his  company 


TESTIMONIAL  LETTEiW. 


3(51 


)  say  '  good-bye.' 
the  walls  of  my 
of  chart  of  the 
y  trunks,  Captain 
a  quarter  of  an 
aid  with  a  smile, 

It  is  enough  to 
there.'  I  replied 
pe,  but  that  the 
red  of  joking  in 
le  embankments. 

a  smile,  and  yet 

se  we  sliall  all  be 

are  in  the  stonn- 

Perhaps  I  may: 

nond's  command 
L  was  supposed  to 
ed  to  the  Crimea, 

5eptember 

;iment  was  about 
ond's  demeanour 
:h  better  than  I, 
lerious,  a  man  at 
IdieVy  resolved  to 
country.  It  was 
fessed  him  in  the 
you  have  alluded. 

ay  further  men- 
.0  still  constantly 

ith  his  com]niny 


Captain  Hammond  was  fully  impressed  with  the  conviction 
that  he  should  never  return. 

"  You  are  already  acquainted  with  the  circumstances  of 
the  attack  on  the  Redan.     Instead  of  sending  whole  regi- 
ments, half  the  army,  against  fortifications  which  1000 
men  might  have  held  against  the  world,  companies  of  50 
or  1 00  men  were  sent  from  various  regiments.     Of  course, 
all  were  mixed  up  together.     The  result  was  indescribable 
confusion  and  excitement.     Our  men,  reeling  amidst  a 
hurricane  of  grape,  fired  on  t        ide  and  on  that,  into  the 
air;  and  only  the  old  s-oldier.s  ^.m  recall  a  single  incident, 
or  tell  you  what  really  hapi)ened  in  the  storming  of  the 
Great  Redan.   Ofiicers  lost  their  men,  and  men  lost  their  offi- 
cers.    Half  the  storming  party  were  composed  of  boys ; 
recruits,  who  had  never  been  under  fire  before;  and  of 
these,   many  hundreds  fled  in  every  direction,  and  hid 
themselves  in  the  ditch,    creating  a  panic  through  all 
the  ranks  behind  them.     Amidst  all  this  confusion,    at 
one  of  the  embrasures  of  the   Redan,  fighting  with  a 
few  of  his  company  who  followed   him   to  the  death, 
was  Captain  Hammond.    Their  black  coats  were  easily 
distinguished.     Captain  Hammond  was  seen  to  cut  down 
several  of  the  enemy  with   his   own   sword.     He  then 
disappeared  for  a  time.     Whether  he  was  made  a  prisoner, 
or  whether  he  entered  the  Redan  and  fought  there,  it  is 
impossible  to  say.    The  men  who  were  with  him  died 
with  him.     But  I  think  it  probable  that,  having  fought 
his  way  into  the  Redan,  being  wholly  unsupported,  he  was 
compelled  to  fight  his  way  back  again.     He  reappeared 
at  one  of  the  embrasures,  still  fighting,  when  he  tell  back- 
wards. 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


^^     ^^ 


1.0 


I.I 


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362 


TESTIMONIAL  LETTERS. 


"Early  on  tlie  next  morning,  a  party  went  out  to 
search  for  the  body,  *  Captain  B  «  *  «  in  command.  For 
two  hours  the  search  was  continued  without  success ;  and 
the  men  were  about  to  return,  hoping  that  your  brother 
might  be  a  prisoner,  when  Captain  B  •  «  «  noticed  an 
arm  stretched  upwards,  from  beneath  a  heap  of  slain, 
in  the  Redan  ditch ;  and  the  body  was  immediately  dis- 
covered. The  eyes  were  closed,  and  the  features  bore 
an  expression  of  singular  placidity.  Death  had  been 
painless  and  instantaneous.  On  the  afternoon  of  the 
same  day.  Captain  Hammond  and  Lieutenant  Ryder  were 
buried  in  the  ravine,  which  the  1st  Brigade,  Light  Divi- 
sion, have  consecrated  as  their  burial  ground.*f*  A  very 
neat  cross,  of  white  stone,  has  been  placed  at  the  head 

of  your  brother's  grave When  last  I  visited  his 

grave,  about  a  fortnight  ago,  a  very  large  and  massive 
slab,  which  would  cover  the  whole  of  the  mound,  was 
being  laid  down.  The  grave,  however,  had  not  been 
previously  neglected.  Some  kind  hand  had  placed  round 
it  a  low  wall,  formed  of  fragments  of  granite;  and  a 
shrub,  bearing  a  beautiful  purple  flower,  was  planted  at 
the  foot.  I  know  that  I  need  offer  no  apology  for  this 
long  letter. — Believe  me,  my  dear  sir,  yours  faithfully, 

"  Walter  C  «  «  «." 

A  notice  of  the  death  of  these  two  officers,  from  the 
same  pen,  appeared  in  the  lUtistroited  London  News: — 


*  This  is  an  error  of  the  writer.  Colonel  Wuodfoi'd  oommauded  the  party 
who  went  in  search. 

t  The  nearer  cross  in  the  frontispiece  indicates  the  graye  of  Captain  Ham- 
m'ud ;  the  most  distant,  that  of  Lieutenant  Ryder. 


TESTIMONIAL  LETTERS. 


dt;3 


"  Gamp  befoee  Sfbastopol, 
September  9,  1855. 
**  In  the  2d  battaHon,  Rifle  Brigade,  we  have  to  lament 
the  loss  of  Captain  Hammond  and  Lieutenant  Byder.  We 
have  Lieutenants  Carey,  Eyre,  Eccles,  and  Biley  wounded ; 
and  about  130  men  killed  and  wounded.  With  Captain 
Hammond's  name  you  will  be  familiar;  as  I  frequently 
mentioned  to  you  the  many  acts  of  kindness  I  received 
from  liiin  when  he  commanded  the  dep6t  at  Fort  Cumber- 
land. A  braver  soldier  never,  on  that  day,  mounted  the 
Bedan.  A  Christian  of  more  unaffected  piety  never 
entered  the  presence  of  God.  He  had  only  been  in  the 
Crimea  forty-eight  hours  when  he  was  killed.  When  the 
Bifles  were  forming  for  the  attack,  a  young  subaltern, 
going  into  action  for  the  first  time,  who  had  come  out 
with  Hammond,  addressed  him,  '  Captain  Hammond,  how 
fortunate  we  are,  we  are  just  in  time  for  Sebastopol!' 
Hammond's  eyes  were  gazing  where  the  rays  of  the  sun 
made  a  path  of  golden  light  over  the  sea,  and  his  answer 
was  short  and  remarkable,  and  accompanied  by  the  quiet 
smile,  which  those  who  knew  him  will  so  well  remember. 
'  /  am  quite  ready,'  said  he.  The  next  that  was  seen  of 
him  was,  when  his  sword  was  flashing  above  one  of  the 
embrasures  of  the  Bedan.  He  was,  indeed,  at  the  head  of 
his  company,  fighting  to  gain  an  entrance  for  them.  A 
dozen  bayonets  were  at  his  heart,  and  once  he  was  dragged 
in  a  prisoner.  In  a  Sew  moments,  he  was  recognised 
again  outside  the  embrasure,  still  hacking  with  his  sword. 
The  next  morning,  at  six  o'clock.  Captain  B  «  «  «  found 
him  in  the  ditch,  beneath  a  dozen  of  the  slain,  with  a 
bayonet  wound  through  the  heart.     Hammond  and  Byder 


364 


TESTIMONIAL  LETTERS. 


*were  bulled  this  afternoon,  in  the  burial  ground  of  the 
Division,  rendered  sacred,  long  ago,  by  the  sepulture  of 
brave  men.  Ryder  was  barely  eighteen  years  old ;  and 
was  one  of  my  earliest  friends  after  I  entered  the  service. 
Before  the  assault  had  lasted  an  hour,  he  was  shot  in  the 
throat  and  fell;  and  was  carried  to  the  rear,  and  consigned 
t(T  a  surgeon.  But,  as  it  happened,  the  surgeon  was  en- 
gaged at  the  moment  that  Ryder  was  brought  in;  and  the 
young  lieutenant  tied  his  handkerchief  round  his  throat, 
and  was  seen  again  on  the  ladder;  and  when  he  was  found 
the  next  day  in  the  ditch,  a  bayonet  thrust  had  transfixed 
his  forehead. — I  am,  dear    *  «  «,  yours  faithfully, 

'  "  Walter  C  «  «  »,  i 

'*  Sta£f  Assistant-surgeon,  attached  to  the 
"  Light  Division." 


Such  is  the  testimony  borne  to  his  professional  worth. 
Let  us  see  in  what  manner  his  private  qualities  were 
valued.  It  is  no  slight  evidence  of  his  life  of  active  use- 
fulness, that  in  eight  different  churches,  and  four  of  them 
in  parishes  where  he  had  been  quartered,  sermons  were 
preached  on  the  occasion  of  his  death. 

At  Canterbury,  the  Rev.  B.  L.  W  «  «  «,  on  the  16th 
September,  spoke  in  these  words :  "  I  cannot  forbear  to 
remind  you  of  a  brave  young  officer  in  the  British  army, 
who  only  the  week  before  last  was  so  signally  privileged 
to  experience  in  his  own  person  the  blessed  reality  of  this 
triumphant  victory  over  our  last  enemy — death.  You 
can  most  of  you  well  remember  that,  only  two  short  years 
ago,  the  officer  to  whom  I  am  alluding  resided  for  a  con- 
siderable time  in  this  city,  and  was  accustomed.  Sabbath 


TKSTlMO.NIAL  LETlELSw 


aG5 


after  Sabbath,  to  assemble  here  with  us  in  this  house  of  g^ 
prayer  to  worship  the  Lord.  You  can  most  of  you  realise 
to  your  miud's  eye  afresh  his  form  and  features,  how  he 
was  clothed  with  all  the  health  and  strength  of  robust 
youth,  and  looked  as  if  it  would  be  many,  many  years 
before  he  would  be  visited  by  death.  You  can  also  most 
of  you  remember  his  holy  bearing  and  consistent  cha- 
racter; how  evident  it  was  to  all  who  knew  him,  that  he 
had,  indeed,  been  with  Jesus  in  real  earnest;  that  the 
Spirit  of  Christ  did,  indeed,  dwell  in  him,  and  walk  in 
him;  that  it  was  his  daily  and  hourly  delight  to  glorify 
his  Saviour  in  all  things,  to  live  for  Him,  and  to  follow 
Him  here  in  this  present  evil,  persecuting  world,  with  all 
holy  conversation  and  gentleness,  that  hereafter  he  might 
follow  Him  and  dwell  with  Him  for  ever  in  His  own 
heavenly  kingdom  above.  You  can  most  of  you  readily 
call  to  mind,  in  one  word,  how  manifestly  to  him  *to 
live  was  Christ.'  And  now,  notwithstanding  his  bodily 
strength;  notwithstanding  the  bright  and  glorious  pro- 
mise of  his  youth  that  his  life  would  be  prolonged  to  ex- 
treme old  age,  whilst  bravely  fighting  for  his  country,  he 
was  cut  down  by  the  murderous  weapons  of  his  enemies, 
and  in  an  instant  was  numbered  with  the  dead.  But  now 
comes  the  vital,  the  all-important  question.  Did  death 
triumph  over  the  young  soldier?  Did  death,  his  last 
enemy,  really  obtain  a  victory  over  him  ?  Standing  here 
as  a  minister  of  Christ,  and  in  dependence  upon  His  ex- 
press assurance,  '  By  their  fruits  ye  shall  know  them,'  I 
fearlessly  answer.  No !  Even  when  he  fell  to  the  earth  a 
lifeless  corpse,  he  was  more  than  conqueror  through  Him 
that  loved  him.     Throiigli  faith  in  Christ  Jof^is,  thut  al- 


SGG 


TESTIMONIAL  LETTERS. 


0  mighty  Saviour  to  whom  he  had  so  long,  so  completely 
committed  his  immortal  soul,  he  found  in  that  last  moment 
of  his  seeming  helplessness,  that  last  struggle  of  his  sink- 
ing mortality,  that  death,  his  last  enemy,  was  indeed  most 
completely  destroyed;  for  that  to  be  absent  from  the 

,  body  was  to  be  present  with  the  Lord;  that  to  die  was, 
indeed,  the  most  glorious  gain  to  him,  for  his  liberated 
soul  was  at  once  admitted  into  the  presence  of  Jesus,  to 
be  for  ever  with  the  Lord ;  for  ever  to  see  Jesus  as  He  is, 
and  in  all  His  inconceivable  loveliness;  for  ever  to  rejoice 
in  the  immediate  and  glorious  presence  of  his  Saviour- 
God.  Oh !  who  can  realise  such  blessedness  as  this,  with- 
out most  earnestly  longing  to  be  a  partaker  of  it  himself 
when  he  comes  to  die !  Who  can  contemplate  the  glo- 
rious entrance  of  the  dying  soldier  of  Christ  into  the 
kingdom  of  heaven,  without  exclaiming  from  his  inmost 
heart,  '  Let  me  die  the  death  of  the  righteous,  and  let  my 
last  end  be  like  his  I' " 

We  v^ill  conclude  with  some  extracts  from  the  letters 
that  poured  in  after  he  was  taken  away: — 


No.  1. 

"  God  help  you  all  under  your  affliction.    Need  I  say 

how  I  sympathise  with  you  in  the  loss  of  such  a  son.    To 

me  I  cannot  say  what  he  has  not  been — ^brother  and 

friend-     I  never  met  his  like,  or  expect  to  see  it  again. 

After  witnessing  for  Christ  for  ten  years,  he  has  gone  to 

be  with  Him." 

No.  2. 

"  I  know  very  well,  from  my  own  experience  in  the 
army,  that  there  used  to  be  a  very  prevalent  opinion  that, 


TESTIMONIAL  LETTEllS. 


aG*? 


10  completely 
b  last  moment 
B  of  his  sink- 
3  indeed  most 
3nt  from  the 
it  to  die  was, 

his  liberated 
e  of  Jesus,  to 
esus  as  He  is, 
jver  to  rejoice 
:  his  Saviour- 
1  as  this,  with- 

of  it  himself 
plate  the  glo- 
b.rist  into  the 
\m  his  inmost 
us,  and  let  my 

>m  the  letters 


Need  I  say 
ch  a  son.  To 
—brother  and 

see  it  again, 
e  has  gone  to 


jrience  in  the 
opinion  that. 


when  an  officer  became  a  '  saint,'  he  ceases  to  be  good  for  ^ 
anything  as  a  soldier.  I  rejoice,  therefore,  for  the  sol- 
dier's sake,  and  for  the  honour  of  my  Lord  and  Saviour, 
that  we  have  not  to  ^o  back  as  far  as  the  times  of  Colonel 
Gardiner  or  General  Burn  for  an  instance  of  a  Christian 
officer.  Thanks  be  to  God,  we  can  encourage  the  diffi- 
dent young  soldier  of  Christ  riow,  by  naming  men  of  our 
own  days — ^Fordyce,  Vicars,  Shadforth,  and  Maximilian 
Hammond — ^who  were  fiuthful  unto  death,  and  to  the 
commission  which  Queen  Victoria  had  confided  to  them; 
while  their  constraining  motive  was  love  to  the  Lord,  who 
hnd  bought  them  with  His  precious  blood,  and  earnest 
desire  that  He  might,  in  all  their  conduct,  be  glorified. 

"  In  looking  back  to  the  days  of  frequent  intercourse 
with  your  brother,  I  have  a  vivid  recollection  of  his  quiet, 
uniform,  consistent  maintenance  of  the  Christian  character, 
in  his  whole  deportment  and  every  act  And  I  could  not 
help  remarking,  with  some  share  of  self-reproach,  that  I, 
who  was  his  senior  in  military  service  and  in  the  knowledge 
of  the  doctrine  of  evangelical  truth,  had  been  far,  very  far 
outstripped  in  the  life  of  faith  by  him.  Every  one  who 
enjoyed  the  privilege  of  intercourse  with  him,  *  took  know- 
ledge of  him  that  he  had  been  with  Jesus.'  The  spirit  of 
Christ  so  dwelt  in  him,  that  his  countenance  quite  lit  up 
with  animation  when  he  spoke  out  from  his  heart  of  the  ex- 
ceeding preciousness  of  the  Saviour,  and  all-sufficiency,  in 
all  things,  of  His  grace.  The  shafts  of  ridicule  and  scorn 
were  never  directed  against  him ;  and  had  they  been  so, 
they  would  have  fallen  blunted  and  harmless  to  the  earth ; 
for  with  the  character  of  the  earnest  Christian,  he  com- 
bined that  of  the  gentleman,  the  sensiblr  well-informed 


308 


TliJti  1  i  Slua  1 AL  LK1TKK8. 


^  man,  the  efficient  regimentil  officer,  and  the  kinti,  amiable, 
sympathising  friend.  So  that  thoughtless  young  men, 
who  were  not  alive  to  the  claims  of  vital  religion,  could 
not  help  feeling  strong  regard  and  esteem  for  him  as  a 
man — Believe  me,  &c." 


No.  3.  ' 

"The  Rev.  G.  0  «  «  «  made  a  most  touching  and 
beautiful  allusion  to  the  death  of  your  now  sainted  son,  in 
his  sermon  at  Newport,  this  evening.  Dear  Captain 
Hammond  was  so  well  known  in  these  parts.  Indeed,  his 
sweetness  of  disposition  and  consistent  Christian  conduct 
endeared  him  to  all  who  knew  him.     Truly  he  was  lovely 

and  pleasant  in  his  life,  and  seemed  almost  to  live  in 

• 

heaven." 

No.  4. 

From  an  Anny  Scripture  Reader: — 

"  September  7. — I  naet  and  spent  some  time  with  Cap- 
tain Hammond.  I  scarcely  ever  met  one  in  whom  the 
image  of  Christ  was  so  reflected.  It  came  forth  in  every 
word  and  action.  A  holy  calm  rested  on  his  countenance, 
and  the  expression  of  his  hope  and  confidence  was  clear 
and  unwavering.  It  was  the  first  and  last  meeting  below 
— next  day  he  fell.  Never  was  one  so  regretted.  His 
regiment  felt  that  they  had  lost  their  best  friend,  and  well 
they  might,  for  much  did  he  labour  for  their  eternal  good. 

"  Many  a  sad  blank  was  found;  and  I  had,  especially, 
to  weep  over  one  friend,  who  had  only  arrived  from  Eng- 
land two  days  before  the  attack.  He  was  an  officer  of  the 
Rifles,  and  if  honoured  with  a  tomb-stone,  the  epitaph 
truly  may  be,  '  He  walked  with  God.' " 


TIBTIMONIAL  LETTBRS. 


369 


iiniuble, 
if  men, 
1,  could 
in  as  a 


Ing  and 
i  son,  in 
Captain 
leed,  his 
conduct 
as  lovely 
live  in 


L 


ith  Cap- 
lom  the 
in  every 
tenance, 
vas  clear 
ig  below 

d.  His 
and  well 

al  good. 

pecially, 
)m  Eng- 
er  of  the 

epitaph 


Na6. 

"I  shall  never  forget  him,  or  the  impression  he  left 
on  me;  so  earnest,  so  single-minded,  so  very  lovely  in 
manner  and  expression,  and  such  deep  devoted  love  to 
the  Saviour  and  His  cause.     He  always,  to  me,  recalled 

M'Cheyne ;  breathing  the  very  spirit  of  holiness. 

He  was  a  rare  man,  an  uncommon  Christian;  and  one, 
once  seen,  not  soon  or  easily  forgotten." 

No.  6. 

"I  remember  well  what  my  impression  was,  at  the 
time,  of  his  character  as  a  man  of  the  world.  Then  so 
gentle,  so  amiable,  so  greatly  to  be  beloved  (poor  dear 
fellow,  I  see  him  in  my  mind's  eye  now,  with  his  happy, 
smiling,  manly  countenance — a  kind  word  for  all  and 
every  one),  my  feeling  was,  if  Hammond  were  converted 
to  God,  what  an  intrepid,  fearless  soldier  of  the  cross  (and 
yet,  coupled  with  the  deepest  humility)  would  he  be 
found." 

No.  7. 
"  We  were  so  much  thrown  together  at  onr  ^:me,  that 
he  was  to  me  a  beloved  brother.  I  trust  I  may  i  ever  for- 
get how  much  I  have  learned  from  him,  in  his  manly, 
open-hearted,  and  truly  Christian  disposition.  He  was, 
indeed,  a  bright  example  of  the  true  soldier  of  the  cross  of 
Christ.  His  letters  to  me  always  spoke  of  his  earnest 
desire  to  live  to  the  honour  and  glory  of  God,  in  Christ 
Jesus.  .  .  .  .  F  *  «  ♦  in  a  letter  says,  *  How  few  men 
like  Hammond  do  you  meet  anywhere!  His  character 
will  stand  any  test.     He  was  not  an  ordinary  man.' " 

2  a 


370 


TESTIMONIAL  LETTEfia 


No.  8. 


"Fondly  had  I  hoped  that  he,  who  was  such  a  model  of 
many  virtues  and  of  Christian  graces ;  who  was  the  object 
of  so  many  prayers;  would  be  graciously  spared,  as  an 
example  to  us  all  in  following  his  Master.  No  one  could 
know  him  without  love  and  admiration ;  and  it  is  not  for 
his  precious  spirit  (for  that  is  ineffably  happy,  and  would 
not  now  have  entered  heaven  otherwise  than  in  that 
chariot  of  fire;  for  so  was  the  will  of  God,  and  in  that 
will  his  is  entirely  lost) ;  it  is  not  for  him,  that  we  must 


mourn. 

No.  9. 

"  His  whole  walk  was  close  with  God,  and  his  life  more 
pure  and  holy  than  that  of  any  other  being  I  ever  met 

with One  word  of  him  whom  I  so  much  admired 

— who  so  lived  to  his  God,  and  who  is  now  with  Him  in 
quite  unapproachable  happiness.  When  I  heard  he  was 
gone,  my  first  words  were,  'Thank  God!'  for  I  thought 
only  of  T  'hat  the  gain  must  be  to  him.  What  a  blessing 
to  know,  that  when  Christ  shall  come  again  on  earth,  he 
who  served  his  God  so  faithfully  shall  come  with  Him, 
and  join  all  those  on  earth  who  love  the  Lord's  appear- 
ing!" 

No.  10. 

"  Indeed,  when  1  think  of  him,  my  mind  rests  not  so 
much  upon  isolated  traits,  as  upon  the  tenor  of  his  life ; 
the  beautiful  unity,  harmony,  and  evenness  of  his  cha- 
racter and  walk ;  his  eminent,  abiding  spirituality  of 
mind;  his   unfailing,  ever-growing,   fruitfulness,    to  the 


OON0LU8IOK. 


371 


model  of 
be  object 
id,  as  an 
me  could 
is  not  for 
ad  would 
in  that 
d  in  that 
we  must 


life  more 
ever  met 
1  admired 
;h  Him  in 
d  he  was 

thought 
a  blessing 

earth,  he 
rith  Him, 
's  appear- 


ts  not  80 
his  life; 
his  cha- 

"|;uality  of 
to  the 


praise  of  the  grace  of  God.  To  me  he  has  been  a 
heaven-sent  blessing.  To  glorify  God,  and  to  win  souls 
to  Christ,  was  the  object  of  his  life;  and  he  has  left  a 
record  which  may  do  so  still.  I  never  dare  to  hope  that 
another  such  a  friend  will  be  given  me,  as  he  who  did  so 
gently,  tenderly,  and  wisely  help  me,  and  constantly  cleave 
to  me,  daring  long  years  of  separation." 

What  shall  we  say,  then,  in  conclusion  ? 

"Though  there  is  a  just  man  that  perisheth  in  his 
righteousness,"  yet  "  In  the  way  of  righteousness  there  ia 
life,  and  in  the  pathway  thereof  there  is  no  death." 

Do  not  these  things,  then,  tell  us  that  it  is  high  time  to 
gii-d  on  our  panoply  ?  A  very  little  while,  and  there  shall 
be  a  marshalling  of  hosts,  before  which  even  the  sands 
of  the  sea  shall  be  as  nothing  in  multitude.  A  very  little 
while,  and  the  trumpet  shall  ring  forth  a  blast,  at  the 
sound  of  which  not  the  walls  of  that  beleaguered  city, 
but  the  very  foundations  of  the  earth,  shall  tremble.  A 
very  little  while,  and  then  shall  appear,  attended  by  His 
white-robed  host,  not  earthly  prince  or  potentate,  nor 
mortal  conqueror,  but  the  sign  of  the  Son  of  man  in 
heaven.  And  who  may  abide  the  day  of  His  coming^ 
What  sleeper  shall  endure  the  warning  of  that  trumpet- 
blast,  when  many  of  those  that  sleep  in  the  dust  of  the 
earth  shall  awake,  some  to  everlasting  life,  and  some  to 
shame  and  everlasting  contempt?  Happy,  happy  he,  who 
in  that  dread  hour  shall  be  found  with  the  watchword  on 
his  lips,  "Quite  ready  I" 


872  CONCLUSION. 

"  He  sleeps,  alas  !  a  soldier's  sleep 
Upon  the  red  Crimean  plain ; 
And  we  must  cease  our  loss  to  weep^ 
And  gird  us  to  the  world  again. 

"  But  hours  like  this  will  reach  us  yet, 

When  something  heard,  or  seen,  or  spoken. 
Stirs  up  within  our  hearts  regret, 
Mellowed  by  time,  but  never  broken/' 

Baknabd. 


END. 


7 ■ 

V 

H 

oken. 

ID. 

